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Original Article
IL-4 regulates chemokine production induced by TNF-α in keratocytes and corneal epithelial cells
  1. Yoji Takanoa,
  2. Kazumi Fukagawab,
  3. Shigeto Shimmuraa,
  4. Kazuo Tsubotaa,
  5. Yoshihisa Oguchic,
  6. Hirohisa Saitob
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan, bDivision of Allergy, National Children’s Medical Research Center, Tokyo, Japan, cDepartment of Ophthalmology, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
  1. Yoji Takano, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, 5-11-13, Sugano, Ichikawa, Chiba 272–8513, Japan.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Eosinophils are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of corneal lesions in ocular allergies. The regulation of chemokine production in corneal cells by the Th2 cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4), was examined in order to investigate its role in ocular allergies.

METHODS Pure cultures of human corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were exposed to tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and/or IL-4. 24 hours after exposure, culture supernatants were removed and concentrations of IL-8 and RANTES were quantified by ELISA assay.

RESULTS Simultaneous addition of IL-4 inhibited TNF-α induced IL-8 production in both corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes. TNF-α and IL-4 synergistically stimulated the production of RANTES in keratocytes.

CONCLUSION Differential regulation of chemokine production from corneal cells by IL-4 may play a role in the selective recruitment of predominantly eosinophils to the ocular surface in ocular allergies.

  • interleukin 4
  • chemokines
  • tumour necrosis factor α
  • keratocytes
  • corneal epithelial cells

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.83.9.1074

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