Changes in Corneal Epithelial Layer Inflammatory Cells in Aqueous Tear–Deficient Dry Eye

Abstract

The LC and leukocyte changes in the corneal epithelium suggest their involvement in aqueous tear-deficient dry eye pathophysiology. In vivo dynamic assessment of central corneal inflammatory cell density may serve as an indicator of dry eye severity and provide new insight for dry eye treatment.

Effect of Autologous Serum Eye Drops in Patients with Sjögren Syndrome-related Dry Eye: Clinical and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Evaluation of the Ocular Surface

“…Another finding that proved to be in accordance with literature was the increase in Langerhans cells observed in our patients with DE disease (42). The mechanism underlying this finding is not yet fully understood, nor do we know how it links to the control of Langerhans cell migration and maturation in corneal epithelium.…”

PDE4 Inhibition Suppresses IL-17–Associated Immunity in Dry Eye Disease

“…29 These cytokines are also produced by corneal and conjunctival epithelium. 30,31 Infiltration of the cornea by APCs has been described in both experimental and clinical DED. 20,32 APC enumeration was performed, revealing that cilomilast significantly decreased the presence of CD11b þ APCs in the peripheral and central cornea.…”

Corneal Langerhans cell and dry eye examinations in ankylosing spondylitis

“…Besides being an APC of the ocular surface, they are proposed to play a role in the inflammatory processes of the ocular surface. 7 Lin et al 8 have brought to light that LCs are present in greater numbers both in SS-and non-SS-associated dry eye. Our team has recently demonstrated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients that LC presence was increased in the cornea and they were noted to be of active phenotype.…”