Expression of chemokines and gelatinase B in sympathetic ophthalmia

To examine the expression of gelatinase B (matrix metalloproteinase-9) and the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (CCL2/MCP-1) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12/SDF-1) in sympathetic ophthalmia (SO).

Five enucleated exciting eyes with a clinical diagnosis and typical histopathological findings of SO were studied by immunohistochemical techniques using a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1. In addition, a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies was used to characterize the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate.

In all cases, the extensive uveal inflammatory infiltrate was organized as a diffuse infiltrate and as large granulomas consisting of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells. CD20(+) B lymphocytes predominated in the diffuse infiltrate and CD3(+) T lymphocytes were few. The monocyte/macrophage marker CD68 was expressed in scattered inflammatory mononuclear cells and within granulomas and Dalen-Fuchs nodules. Most of the inflammatory cells were HLA-DR(+). Immunoreactivity for gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1 was observed in cells within granulomas and in scattered epithelioid cells. Immunoreactivity for MCP-1 was noted in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Endothelial cells of choriocapillaries showed weak immunoreactivity for SDF-1.

Gelatinase B, MCP-1, and SDF-1 might have a pathogenic role in the recruitment of leucocytes into the eye in SO.