Atopic keratoconjunctivitis and natural helper cell

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We made innate immune system-dependent mouse conjunctivitis model using papain-absorbed contact lens. The lens was inserted into the conjunctival sac of B6 wild and B6 Rag2-kockout (KO) and IL-33 KO mice. In this mouse models, prominent eosinophilic infiltration was observed in the conjunctival tissue. The number of infiltrated eosinophils was significantly smaller in IL-33 KO mice compared to wild-type and Rag2-KO mice. These results suggested that IL-33 expression is essential for ocular surface allergic inflammatory process through the activation of innate immune systems. In addition, we detected natural helper (NH) cells in the lacrimal gland and conjunctival tissue of the innate immune system-dependent mouse conjunctivitis model. Moreover, we identified NH cell in the giant papillae tissue obtained from severe chronic allergic conjunctivitis patients. These results suggested that NH cell may participate the pathophysiological process of severe chronic allergic conjunctivitis.