Gelatinase B in vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the expression of gelatinase B in the conjunctiva of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and the cellular source of this enzyme. Methods: Conjunctival biopsy specimens from 12 patients with active VKC and 12 control subjects were studied using immunohistochemical techniques and a monoclonal antibody against gelatinase B. The phenotype of gelatinase B- inflammatory cells was examined using double immunohistochemical analysis and monoclonal antibodies against eosinophil peroxidase or macrophage CD68. Quantitative zymography was used to compare the activity of gelatinase B in conjunctival biopsy specimens from 10 patients with active VKC and 7 control subjects. Results: Gelatinase B was detected in a few polymorphonuclear cells in 8 control specimens. All VKC specimens showed gelatinase B immunoreactivity in the epithelial and stromal inflammatory infiltrate. Compared with control specimens, VKC specimens showed significantly more gelatinase B-positive cells (mean∓SD, 40.8 ∓ 29.9 vs 10.3 ∓ 2.4; P