ENDOCRINE CONTROL OF THE ACULAR SECRETORY IMMUNE SYSTEM

眼表面不断地受到来自免疫球蛋白的抗原攻击。 外部环境 这些抗原，包括病毒，细菌， 有毒物质，威胁角膜的完整性，并可能导致严重的视力 损伤或失明。 为了抵御这种抗原威胁， 可能主要依赖于分泌免疫系统。 远程 这项拨款申请的目的是为了提高我们对如何 激素调节眼睛中的分泌免疫系统。 拟定研究 包括测定大鼠模型的特征， 激素作用于眼分泌免疫系统的机制。 实验程序包括放射免疫测定、色谱分析、免疫荧光法、免疫荧光法和免疫荧光法。 技术，细胞培养，免疫细胞化学，放射自显影，激素 和SC受体结合研究，Scatchard图分析，以及内分泌 器官切除和激素重建研究。 具体目标是：（1） 为了进一步表征眼部分泌的激素调节， 免疫系统 这些研究包括：（a）评价急性和 雄激素治疗对分泌成分（SC）、伊加和 泪液和眶外腺组织中的IgG水平;（B）泪液和眶外腺组织中IgG水平的测定 分泌性免疫系统的雄激素控制是否是 （c）评估下丘脑-垂体轴的作用 雄激素调节泪液中的SC、伊加和IgG水平。 (2)到 研究激素调节眼分泌的机制， 免疫系统 这些实验包括：（a）测定 眼内雄激素受体的数量、亲和力和细胞定位 组织;（B）检查眶外腺腺泡的雄激素控制 激素处理后SC的细胞合成和表达 体外;和（c）确定雄激素如何调节眼睛中的伊加。 这些实验的结果应该会增进我们对 眼粘膜免疫的内分泌调节。 此外，调查结果可能 眼睛有健康相关性，因为（a）他们检查对照 眼分泌免疫系统，这可能会防止细菌 定殖和病毒侵入眼睛表面;和（B）它们 解决眼机制和雄激素治疗的后果， 已被用于治疗泪腺的免疫性疾病。

The ocular surface is constantly subjected to antigenic challenge from the external environment. These antigens, which incude viruses, bacteria, and toxic substances, threaten corneal integrity and may lead to severe visual impairment or blindness. To defend against this antigenic threat, the eye may rely primarily upon the secretory immune system. The long-range objective of this grant application is to improve our understanding of how hormones regulate the secretory immune system in the eye. Proposed studies on the rat model include determination of the characteristics and mechanisms of hormone action on the oculrr secretory immune system. Experimental procedures involve radioimmunoassays, chromatographic techniques, cell cultures, immunocytochemistry, autoradiography, hormone and SC receptor binding studies, Scatchard plot analyses, and endocrine organ ablation and hormone reconstitution studies. Specific aims are: (1) To further characterize the hormonal regulation of the ocular secretory immune system. These studies include: (a) evaluation of the acute and chronic effects of androgen treatment on secretory component (SC), IgA, and IgG levels in tears and exorbital gland tissue; (b) determination of whether the androgen control of the secretory immune system is unique to the eye; and (c) assessment of the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in the androgen regulation of SC, IgA, and IgG levels in tears. (2) To examine the mechanisms by which hormones regulate the ocular secretory immune system. These experiments involve: (a) determination of the number, affinity, and cellular location of androgen receptors in ocular tissues; (b) examination of the androgen control of exorbital gland acinar cell synthesis and expression of SC after hormone treatment in vivo or in vitro; and (c) determination of how androgens regulate IgA in the eye. Results from these experiments should advance our knowledge of the endocrine regulation of ocular mucosal immunity. In addition, findings may have health relatedness for the eye, because (a) they examine the control of the ocular secretory immune system, which may prevent bacterial colonization and viral invasion of the surface of the eye; and (b) they address the ocular mechanisms and consequences of androgen treatment, which has been used to treat immunological disorders of the lacrimal gland.