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Comparative Study
. 2009 Feb;147(2):198-205. e1.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.08.032. Epub 2008 Nov 7.

Tear cytokine profiles in dysfunctional tear syndrome

Helene Lam  1 , Lauren Bleiden, Cintia S de Paiva, William Farley, Michael E Stern, Stephen C Pflugfelder
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Tear cytokine profiles in dysfunctional tear syndrome

Helene Lam et al. Am J Ophthalmol. 2009 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare tear cytokine and chemokine concentrations in asymptomatic control and Dysfunctional Tear syndrome (DTS) patients and determine the correlations between tear inflammatory mediators and clinical severity.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Methods: Concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin (IL)-1 alpha (1alpha), 1 beta (1beta), 6, 10, 12, and 13, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and chemokines: IL-8 (CXC); macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha) (CCL3); and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES CCL5) were measured by a multiplex immunobead assay in an asymptomatic control group and DTS patients with and without meibomian gland disease (MGD). Spearman correlations between tear cytokines and severity of irritation symptoms and ocular surface signs were calculated.

Results: Tear concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in DTS with and without MGD and EGF was significantly reduced in the DTS without MGD group compared with the control group. MIP-1alpha was greater in entire DTS and DTS without MGD groups than the control group and RANTES was greater in DTS with MGD than the control and DTS without MGD groups. IL-12 was significantly higher in the DTS with MGD than the DTS without MGD subgroup. Significant correlations were observed between IL-6 and irritation symptoms and between a number of cytokines and chemokines and clinical parameters.

Conclusions: As predicted, patients with DTS have higher levels of inflammatory mediators in their tears that show correlation with clinical disease parameters. Furthermore, different tear cytokine/chemokine profiles were observed in DTS patients with and without MGD groups.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Tear IL-6 vs Irritation Symptoms
Correlation between tear IL-6 concentration in pg/ml and ocular irritation symptoms measured by a 12 question questionnaire. Symbols designate control or dysfunctional tear syndrome (DTS) severity level 1–4.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Tear IL-6 vs Corneal Fluorescein Staining
Correlation between tear IL-6 concentration in pg/ml and the severity of corneal fluorescein staining. Symbols designate control or dysfunctional tear syndrome (DTS) severity level 1–4.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Behrens A, Doyle JJ, MPH, Stern L, et al. Dysfunctional tear syndrome. A Delphi approach to treatment recommendations. Cornea. 2006;25:900–907. - PubMed
    1. Pflugfelder SC. Dry Eye, Focal Points. American Academy of Ophthalmology; San Francisco, CA: 2006.
    1. Lemp MA, Baudouin C, Baum J, et al. The Definition and Classification of Dry Eye Disease: Report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry Eye Workshop (2007) The Ocular Surface. 2007;5:108–152. - PubMed
    1. Pflugfelder SC, de Paiva CS, Tong L, et al. Stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in dry eye and ocular surface disease. The Ocular Surface. 2005;3:5154–5157. - PubMed
    1. Pflugfelder SC. Anti inflammatory therapy for dry eye. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004;137:337–342. - PubMed

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