[Histological study of allergic conjunctivitis--1. Study on the adhesion molecules to allergic conjunctivitis]

We performed an immunohistochemical study on the relationship between inflammatory cells and adhesion molecules to investigate inflammatory reaction in allergic conjunctivitis. Guinea pigs were sensitized with an intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin with hydroxyalminium. Ovalbumin was applied topically to the conjunctiva 3 weeks after the initial treatment. Then the cornea, conjunctiva and lacrymal gland were taken and processed for frozen sections. The specimens were stained with acid Giemsa for inflammatory cells and enzyme-labelled antibody for ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Neutrophils were dominantly observed 6 hours after the challenge with the antigen, eosinophils at 12 hours, and eosinophils and lymphocytes at 24 hours, respectively. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected at 6 and 24 hours in the vascular tissue in the subconjunctival tissue and lacrymal gland. There results suggest that adhesion molecules play a role in the infiltration of inflammatory cells in allergic conjunctivitis.