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Interferon-gamma production and HLA-DR expression in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
1Department of Ophthalmology, Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago 60612.
Abstract:
Other investigators have reported deficient production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and reduced expression of class II major histocompatibility (HLA-DR) antigens on monocytes from patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Our previous investigation did not demonstrate deficient IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes from patients with RP. We have extended our previous study by determining the frequency of HLA-DR-positive monocytes in the peripheral blood of well-defined groups of RP patients and by including a larger sample size of patients and subdividing the autosomal dominant and recessive subpopulations. Our present results confirm and extend our previous finding that lymphocytes from patients with RP are not deficient in the production of IFN-gamma as assessed with a commercially available radioimmunoassay test kit. In addition, using two-color immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry, we also demonstrated normal expression of HLA-DR antigens on monocytes from these patients. In both this and our previous study, using techniques employed in our laboratory, we have been unable to detect significant cell-mediated immune abnormalities in a large and well-characterized group of RP patients.
Insights
This study found no deficiencies in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production or HLA-DR antigen expression on monocytes in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. Cell-mediated immune abnormalities were not detected in RP patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
- Genetics
Background:
- Previous studies suggested immune system involvement in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
- Reports indicated deficient interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production and reduced HLA-DR antigen expression on monocytes in RP patients.
- Our prior research did not find deficient IFN-gamma production in RP lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell-mediated immunity in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
- To determine HLA-DR antigen expression on monocytes and IFN-gamma production in RP patients.
- To confirm or refute previous findings of immune abnormalities in RP.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of HLA-DR antigen expression on monocytes using two-color immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.
- Assessment of IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes using a radioimmunoassay test kit.
- Inclusion of a large, well-defined cohort of RP patients, including autosomal dominant and recessive subtypes.
Main Results:
- Confirmed previous findings of normal IFN-gamma production by lymphocytes in RP patients.
- Demonstrated normal expression of HLA-DR antigens on monocytes from RP patients.
- No significant cell-mediated immune abnormalities were detected in the studied RP population.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocytes from RP patients exhibit normal IFN-gamma production.
- Monocytes from RP patients display normal HLA-DR antigen expression.
- This study did not find evidence of significant cell-mediated immune dysfunction in retinitis pigmentosa.