ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of CCL5/RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) in the tears of dry eye patients. METHODS: Forty patients with dry eye (15 Sjogren's and 25 non-Sjogren's syndrome patients) and ten control subjects were recruited for the present study. The concentration of RANTES in tears was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations between RANTES level, tear film and ocular surface parameters, including tear film break-up time, basal tear secretion, tear clearance rate, corneal sensation, keratoepitheliopathy, and conjunctival goblet cell density, were analyzed in patients with dry eye syndrome. RESULTS: The concentrations of RANTES were 435.46 +/- 104.45 pg/ml in Sjogren's syndrome patients, 257.42 +/- 46.72 pg/ml in non-Sjogren's syndrome patients, and 97.53 +/- 29.15 pg/ml in the control patients (p < 0.01). The levels correlated significantly with basal tear secretion, tear clearance rate, keratoepitheliopathy, and goblet cell density (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CCL5/RANTES level increases in the tears of dry eye patients and correlates with various tear film and ocular surface parameters.