Dendritic Cell Density and Morphology Can Be Used to Differentiate Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis from Allergic Conjunctivitis.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of corneal and conjunctival epithelial dendritic cells (DCs) in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and non-allergic controls to examine if the allergy type causes differences in immune cell activation. The prospective study included 60 participants: 20 with VKC, 20 with AC, and 20 non-allergic controls. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on the right eye. The locations scanned included the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, corneal limbus, and bulbar conjunctiva. The DCs were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for the largest cell body size, the presence of dendrites, and the presence of long and thick dendrites. The DC density was higher in VKC and AC compared to non-

SUBMITTER: Tajbakhsh Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10605082 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature