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Published on: June 9, 2021
Activation of Conjunctiva-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in Diabetic Patients
Yuting Liu1, Jingrao Wang1, Xin Jin1
1Eye Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China.
Purpose:
To evaluate changes in conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissues (CALTs) in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM).
Methods:
Thirty-two patients with T2DM and 32 healthy volunteers underwent comprehensive examinations. In vivo confocal microscopy and Image J were used to observe and evaluate the patients' CALT-related parameters. Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) samples of the tarsal conjunctiva were collected from the patients, and CD4+ and CD8+ cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining.
Results:
The diabetes group showed higher diffuse lymphocyte density(p < .001), follicular density(p < .001) and parafollicular lymphocyte density(p < .001). The percentages of CD4+ cells (p < .001) and CD8+ cells (p < .001) in the diabetes group were higher than those in the control group. CALT-related parameters of the diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy showed higher degrees of activation than those of the diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusions:
CALT activation is observed in patients with T2DM, and the activation is more obvious in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
Trial Registration Number:
Retrospectively registered, ChiCTR2100046030.
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