Dr. A SRIRAM

Dr. ROHIT SHETTY, Dr.Sharon Dsouza, Dr.Pooja Khamar

Abstract

Purpose:To investigate ocular surface (OS) immune cells & cytokine profile in keratoconus(KC).

Methods:72 eyes with KC and 35 control eyes(no reported ocular conditions) were included.OS immune cells collected by OS wash were immunophenotyped using flow cytometer after staining the immune cells (6) with specific antibodies.Tear fluid collected with Schirmer’s strips measured soluble factors (50) using multiplex ELISA. Results:Significant (*p<0.05) high proportion of activated neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, T cells, NKT, γδ T cells and low proportion of inactive neutrophils,Neutrophil/T cells ratio was observed in KC compared to controls.Elevated levels of tear IL-1β,IL-6,IL-17A,IL-17F,TNFα,IgE,Perforin,Granzymes,MMP-2,MMP-9 was observed in KC. A positive relation was seen between immune cell types&their secretory products in tears. Conclusion:Observation suggests plausible role of distinct immune cells in KC pathobiology which can have its impact in future therapies