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Conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue in the human eye.

N Knop1, E Knop

  • 1Department of Cell Biology in Anatomy, Medical School of Hannover, Germany.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|May 8, 2000
PubMed
Summary

The human eye

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) is a critical component of the immune system at mucosal surfaces.
  • The presence and function of MALT in the human eye, specifically the conjunctiva and lacrimal drainage system, remain areas of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence, components, topography, and functional significance of MALT in the human conjunctiva and lacrimal drainage system.
  • To determine if the human eye possesses a localized immune system analogous to MALT found in other mucosal sites.

Main Methods:

  • Examination of 53 conjunctival sacs and 8 lacrimal drainage systems from cadaveric eyes.
  • Utilized light microscopy, histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy on wholemounts and tissue sections.

Main Results:

  • Lymphoid tissue, including diffuse and organized follicular structures with B lymphocytes and IgA-positive plasma cells, was identified in the conjunctiva and lacrimal drainage system.
  • High endothelial venules were present, indicating active immune cell trafficking.
  • Secretory component production by the epithelium suggests a role in mucosal immunity.

Conclusions:

  • The human conjunctiva and lacrimal drainage system possess conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT).
  • CALT contains all necessary components for a complete immune response.
  • The expression of immunoglobulins and secretory component confirms the conjunctiva's role within the secretory immune system.

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