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Br J Ophthalmol 2008;92:970-975 doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.131003
  • Original Article

Kinetics of immune cell migration at the human ocular surface

  1. J H Chan1,
  2. R Amankwah1,
  3. R A Robins2,
  4. T Gray3,
  5. H S Dua1
  1. 1
    Larry A Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Department of Opthalmology, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
  2. 2
    Larry A Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Department of Immunology, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
  3. 3
    Larry A Donoso Laboratory for Eye Research, Department of Pathology, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
  1. Professor H S Dua, Eye and ENT Centre, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; harminder.dua{at}nottingham.ac.uk
  • Accepted 19 March 2008

Abstract

Aim: The conjunctiva has a resident population of intraepithelial and stromal immune cells. These cells play an active part in ocular surface defence and disease. Our aim was to study the migration of immune cells in the human conjunctiva, across the basement membrane and to characterize their phenotypes.

Methods: Organ cultures of human conjunctival samples, denuded of the epithelium, were maintained for varying time periods. Cells migrating on to the surface were harvested and analysed by flow cytometry. Conjunctival samples were also studied by immunohistology and electron microscopy.

Results: A preferential unidirectional migration of immune cells from the stroma, through pores in the basement membrane, towards the surface was noted. Cells migrated through intrastromal channels, communicating with the surface basement membrane pores. CD3+ T cells (76.18%) were the predominant migrating phenotype. The ratio of CD4:CD8 T cells was approximately 4:1 as compared with the control conjunctiva where the ratio was approximately 2:1. Various other phenotypes including NK, NKT and B cells were also detected. Only 8.41% of the migrating population expressed the Human mucosal lymphocyte-1marker of intraepithelial lymphocytes.

Conclusions: Immune cells migration at the ocular surface is an active process involving the formation of intrastromal channels, and cell egression through intact basement membrane pores. The preferential migration of CD4 T cells indicates that this is a specific response of conjunctival lymphoid tissue and not a passive movement of cells. A wide range of immune cell phenotypes exist at the ocular surface. This model can serve to test in vitro the effects of injurious agents on the ocular surface.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Ethics approval: Ethical approval for the use of human tissue for the study was obtained by the Ethics Committee of the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK (OY059803).

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