Ocular surface epithelium induces expression of XXXX mucosal lymphocyte antigen (HML-1) on peripheral blood lymphocytes.

@entity1 @entity404 @entity5962 @entity2902 @entity405
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peripheral blood @entity405 + lymphocytes that home to mucosal surfaces express the @entity1 mucosal lymphocyte antigen (HML-1). At mucosal surfaces, including the ocular surface, only intraepithelial @entity405 + lymphocytes express HML-1. These lymphocytes are retained in the intraepithelial compartment by virtue of the interaction between HML-1 and its natural ligand, @entity5962 , which is expressed on epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ocular surface epithelial cells (ocular mucosa) could induce the expression of @entity1 mucosal lymphocyte antigen on peripheral blood lymphocytes. METHODS: @entity1 corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes. Both non-activated and activated lymphocytes were used in the experiments. After 7 days of incubation, lymphocytes were recovered and analysed for the antigens @entity405 /HML-1, @entity404 /HML-1, CD3/ @entity405 , CD3/ @entity404 , CD3/ @entity2902 , @entity405 / @entity2902 , and @entity404 / @entity2902 by flowcytometry. RESULTS: Significant statistical differences were observed in the @entity405 /HML-1 expression when conjunctival epithelial cells were co-cultured with non-activated and activated lymphocytes (p = 0.04 for each) and when corneal epithelial cells were co-cultured with non-activated lymphocytes (p = 0.03). Significant statistical difference in @entity404 /HML-1 expression was observed only when conjunctival epithelial cells were co-cultured with activated lymphocytes (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Ocular surface epithelial cells can induce the expression of @entity1 mucosal lymphocyte antigen on @entity405 + (and to some extent on @entity404 +) lymphocytes. This may allow the retention of @entity405 + and @entity404 + lymphocytes within the epithelial compartment of the conjunctiva and play a part in mucosal homing of lymphocytes.
