[A study on pathology and immunoglobulin of orbital tissues from cases with Grave's ophthalmopathy]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate pathological changes and the expression, localization of immunoglobulins (IgA & IgE) in orbital tissues from patients with Grave's ophthalmopathy.

Methods: Orbital tissues were obtained at surgery from 19 patients with Grave's ophthalmopathy and 17 control subjects. Immunohistochemical studies were carried out by using anti-IgA, anti-IgE antibody and a streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase detection system. In addition, hematoxylin-eosin, alcian blue and Masson trichrome stains were employed to demonstrate the pathologic changes in the tissues.

Results: 12 of 17 samples from patients exhibited IgA positive staining for the connective tissue associated with the extraocular muscles and orbicularis oculi, however only 2 control muscles reacted minimally. IgE positive material was found in association with the majority of leukocytes and with muscle fibers in 13 patients, but only 4 control subjects displayed mild reactions. Significant expression of IgE was more often demonstrated in patients with eye disease of short course than in those of longer course.

Conclusion: These results support the notion that the eye muscle fiber and fibroblast are important targets of the orbital autoimmune reaction in Graves' ophthalmopathy in which IgA and IgE both play important roles.