ABSTRACT
Cell Adhesion Molecule(CAM) is a cell surface glycoprotein that plays an important role in many inflammatory reaction. This is responsible for the migration and accumulation of different populations of leukocyte in inflamed tissues. To investigate the relevance of CAM expression to giant papillary conjunctivitis associated with type I and/or type IV hypersensitivity, the histology of conjunctival giant papillae from patients with papillary conjunctivitis was examined with light microscopy and using indirect immunofluorescent staining method with monoclonal antibodies against the ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD44. The infiltrates of the inflammatory cells such as eosinophil, basophil, plasma cell and lymphocyte were noted in conjunctival stroma by light microscopy. The ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CD44 were expressed or upregulated in stroma and vascular wall by immunofluorescent method. These findings suggest that CAM may play a key role in the pathogenesis of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Further efforts to block or modulate the expression of CAMs may provide new therapeutic modalities in the treatment of conjunctival disease.