ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immune reactions have been reported to be involved in the destruction of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in glaucoma. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A and B (MICA and MICB) molecules in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. METHODS: Aqueous humor and serum samples from 15 glaucoma patients and 45 patients with cataract, undergoing ocular surgery, were obtained. The concentrations of MICA and MICB molecules in all samples were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Both MICA and MICB concentrations were higher in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma compared to those with cataract (p=0.013 and p=0.004, respectively); however, in the serum samples, no significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Increased intraocular pressure may be associated with increased expression of the MICA and MICB molecules, which could initiate the destruction of RGCs and consequent development of glaucoma.
Subject(s)
Aqueous Humor/immunology , Cataract/immunology , Glaucoma/diagnosis , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism , Retinal Ganglion Cells/immunology , Serum/immunology , Aged , Female , Glaucoma/immunology , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DC) are a key regulator of the immune response, and interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is considered an immunomodulatory molecule for DC. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of IFN-beta treated DC to induce cytokine secretion by CD4+ T cells. METHODS: Dendritic cells were generated from blood monocytes with granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 with or without IFN-beta. We analyzed the production of CD4+ T helper cytokines (IL-17, IFN-gamma and IL-10) in the supernatant of the dendritic cell-T cell co- cultures by ELISA. We also studied the effects of HLA-G and costimulatory molecules on immature and mature DC. RESULTS: IFN-gamma and IL-17 decreased significantly in the presence of HLA-G-bearing DC compared to control cultures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using the mixed leukocyte reaction, we found that DC treated with IFN-beta mediated the inhibition of T cell activation via cytokine production. We conclude that this is important for preventing overactivation of the immune system.
