Quiescent and Active Tear Protein Profiles to Predict Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis Reactivation

作者：Micera Alessandra; Di Zazzo Antonio; Esposito Graziana; Sgrulletta Roberto; Calder Virginia L; Bonini Stefano^*

来源：Biomed Research International, 2016, 2016: 9672082.

DOI：10.1155/2016/9672082

Objective. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic recurrent bilateral inflammation of the conjunctiva associated with atopy. Several inflammatory and tissue remodeling factors contribute to VKC disease. The aim is to provide a chip-based protein analysis in tears from patients suffering from quiescent or active VKC. Methods. This study cohort included 16 consecutive patients with VKC and 10 controls. Participants were subjected to clinical assessment of ocular surface and tear sampling. Total protein quantification, total protein sketch, and protein array (sixty protein candidates) were evaluated. Results. An overall increased Fluorescent Intensity expression was observed in VKC arrays. Particularly, IL1 beta., IL15, IL21, Eotaxin2, TACE, MIP1 alpha, MIP3 alpha, NCAM1, ICAM2, beta NGF, NT4, BDNF, beta FGF, SCF, MMP1, and MMP2 were increased in quiescent VKC. Of those candidates, only IL1 beta, IL15, IL21, beta NGF, SCF, MMP2, Eotaxin2, TACE, MIP1 alpha, MIP3 alpha, NCAM1, and ICAM2 were increased in both active and quiescent VKC. Finally, NT4, beta FGF, and MMP1 were highly increased in active VKC. Conclusion. A distinct "protein tear-print" characterizes VKC activity, confirming some previously reported factors and highlighting some new candidates common to quiescent and active states. Those candidates expressed in quiescent VKC might be considered as predictive indicators of VKC reactivation and/or exacerbation outof-season.

• 出版日期2016