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Ligneous conjunctivitis: biochemical evidence for hypofibrinolysis.
M L Ramsby1, P C Donshik, G S Makowski
1Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-2235, USA.
Inflammation
|March 7, 2000
Summary
Ligneous conjunctivitis involves "woody" plaques due to defective fibrinolysis, with ample tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) but no activity in lesions. Mucoid threads show the opposite, lacking t-PA but possessing fibrinolytic activity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ligneous conjunctivitis (LC) is a rare condition characterized by fibrin-rich
Observation:
- Ligneous lesions showed intact fibrin and abundant fibrin-bound tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA).
- Despite high t-PA levels, ligneous samples lacked fibrinolytic activity.
- Mucoid threads lacked t-PA but exhibited significant, plasminogen-independent fibrinolytic activity.
Findings:
- LC exhibits defective fibrinolysis in ligneous plaques, despite the presence of t-PA.
- Mucoid threads contain plasminogen-independent fibrinolytic enzymes, including alpha-chymotrypsin and elastase.
- Both latent and activated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were found in ligneous samples, while mucoid samples predominantly contained activated MMP-9.
Implications:
- The study suggests a complex interplay between fibrinolysis, mucus production, and enzyme activity in LC.
- Abnormal mucins or excessive mucus may contribute to a localized deficiency in plasmin(ogen) activity.
- Further research into the biochemical mechanisms underlying LC pathophysiology is warranted.