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Mononuclear cell antigen expression after contact with one-day disposable contact lens materials
Piera Versura1, Sandra Iannelli, Sergio Stefoni
1Centre of Biotechnological and Clinical Research in Ophthalmology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. versura@alma.unibo.it
Purpose:
To analyse the effects of 1-day disposable contact lens (CL) material on mononuclear cell activation antigens and adhesion molecules, in an in vitro model set up in order to simulate the first 2 h of wear.
Methods:
Etafilcon A and Hilafilcon A materials were analysed. Mononuclear cells, collected from peripheral blood samples of normal human donors, were placed in contact with the materials, both new and coated with artificial tear solution. As a control, Thermanox coverslips and a group with no material were included. Immunofluorescence reactions were carried out on cells, to study the distribution of activation (HLA-DR, CD25, CD69) and adhesion (CD11a, CD18, CD54) molecules; the flow cytometry technique was used to analyse cells.
Results:
Statistically significant results were demonstrated for the CD69 and all the 3 adhesion molecules. Artificial tear coating enhanced the mononuclear cell response.
Conclusions:
The daily mononuclear cell activation can lead, with time, to production of inflammatory mediators that may be responsible for discomfort or, at worst, intolerance and definitely to CL wear remittance.