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Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Induction of Ocular Surface Inflammation and Collection of Involved Tissues
Published on: August 4, 2022
Transmigrated neutrophils on the ocular surface and in other tissues: A narrative review
Yutong Jin1, Sadaf Mohsenkhani2, Maria Walker3
1School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 17W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong.
Abstract:
Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMNs) represent 60% of the total leukocytes in the blood, playing an essential role in innate immune defence. PMNs were originally considered to be homogenous, but a growing body of evidence suggests that they exhibit considerable heterogeneity and express various phenotypes in different tissue types under physiological and pathological conditions. This review provides an overview of the PMNs phenotypes found in various human tissues, including the lungs, female reproductive tract, mouth, and eyes, under both physiological and pathological conditions. PMNs collected from the ocular surface after prolonged eye closure, termed 'tear PMNs', represent an emerging area of research in ocular immunology and inflammation. Their potential origin, diurnal-nocturnal pattern and functions, and their role in ocular complications are also presented and discussed.
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