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Evaluation of IL 8 pathway on the ocular surface: new insights in patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid
Author(s) -
Bruscolini Alice,
Lambiase Alessandro,
Segatto Marco,
La Cava Maurizio,
Nebbioso Marcella,
Sacchetti Marta
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.14240
Subject(s) - medicine , conjunctiva , pemphigoid , immunohistochemistry , tears , lacrimal gland , cytokine , pathology , ophthalmology , gastroenterology , antibody , immunology , bullous pemphigoid
Abstract Purpose To evaluate the expression of IL 8/ CXCL 8 cytokine and its receptor CXCR 1 in tear film and ocular surface of patients with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP). Methods Ten patients with oMMP in the quiescent phase, 20 patients with primary Sjogren syndrome ( pSS ) and 13 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. All patients undergone complete eye examination including lacrimal function tests and ocular surface staining assessed by ocular staining score. Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP) staging according to Mondino classification and dry eye severity grade according to Dry Eye Workshop 2007 classification were recorded. Tear samples and conjunctival epithelium were collected. IL ‐8 tear concentration was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and conjunctival IL 8 was analysed by Western blot; conjunctival expression of CXCR 1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Il‐8 and CXCR 1 expression in oMMP patients were compared with HC and pSS patients and correlated with ocular clinical findings. Results Tear levels of IL ‐8 were significantly increased in patients with oMMP (260.1 ± 70 pg/ml) when compared to both HCs (98.5 ± 71.35 pg/ml; p = 0.001) and patients with pSS (96.3 ± 87.5 pg/ml; p = 0.001). Conjunctival expression of IL 8 and CXCR 1 was significantly increased in oMMP patients when compared to both healthy subjects and pSS patients. Conclusion The significant increase of tear and conjunctival IL 8 and CXCR 1 levels in patients with oMMP when compared to healthy subjects and patients with Sjogren syndrome suggests that changes of IL 8 pathway are specific of oMMP and may represent a potential biomarker of the disease and/or therapeutic target.