CCL4 Concentration in Tears of Dry Eye Patients and Its Correlation With Tear Surface Parameters

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of CCL4/MIP-1beta in tears of patients with dry eye syndrome and its correlation with the tear surface parameters. METHODS: Forty patients with dry eye syndrome (seven Meibomian gland dysfunction and 33 non-Meibomian gland dysfunction patients) and 25 control subjects were recruited. The concentrations of CCL4 in tears were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlations between CCL4 levels and tear surface parameters including tear film break-up time (BUT), basal tear secretion (BST), tear clearance test (TCR), corneal sensation, keratoepitheliopathy (KEP) and conjunctival goblet cell density (GCD) were analyzed in patients with dry eye syndrome. RESULTS: The mean levels of MIP-1beta were 4.3+/-5.2 pg/ml in patients with dry eye syndrome and 81.6+/-294.3 pg/ml in control subjects (p=0.03). The mean levels in non-Meibomian gland disease patients (90.4+/-313.9 pg/ml) were significantly higher than those of Meibomian gland dysfunction patients (20.3+/-23.2 pg/ml, p=0.02). CCL4 levels correlated significantly with BST, TCR, KEP and GCD (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The level of MIP-1beta is elevated in tears of patients with dry eye syndrome and correlates with disease severity and tear surface parameters.