M cells are involved in pathogenesis of human contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The objective was to study the pathogenesis of contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis (CL-GPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty-one biopsies of conjunctival giant papillae were obtained from soft contact lens wearers. The tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Sections of 5 microm thickness were used for studies of histology and immunohistochemistry of pan-B and pan-T cell distributions.

RESULTS:

Conjunctival epitheliums on the top of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue typically lacked goblet cells. Lymphocytes from underlying lymphoid follicle were pressed into intra-epithelial "pockets" formed through epithelial invagination. Under the follicle-associated epithelium, pan-B cells were mostly gathered in the central follicular area and intraepithelial pockets, while CD3-positive T cells were predominantly distributed in parafollicular region, but only a few in the intraepithelial pockets.

CONCLUSIONS:

Membranous epithelial cells (M cells) play a key role in the pathogenesis of CL-GPC for the binding and translocation of antigen and pathogen.

• Authors: Xingwu Zhong, Hongshan Liu, Aijun Pu, Xuefeng Xia, Xiaodong Zhou
• Journal: Archivum immunologiae et therapiae experimentalis (Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz)) 2007 May-Jun Vol. 55 Issue 3 Pg. 173-7 ISSN: 0004-069X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 17557145 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Child
• Conjunctiva (immunology, pathology)
• Conjunctivitis, Allergic (etiology, immunology, pathology)
• Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic (adverse effects)
• Epithelium (immunology, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunity, Mucosal
• Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)
• Lymphoid Tissue (immunology)
• Male
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)