Increased CD40+ Fibrocytes in Patients With Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation. Issue 3 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Brian J.; Atkins, Stephen; Ginter, Anna; Elner, Victor M.; Nelson, Christine C.; Douglas, Raymond S.
• Is Part Of: Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. Volume 31:Issue 3(2015:May/Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Eye -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Ophthalmic plastic surgery -- Periodicals; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.70592
• DOI: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-9303

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>To investigate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of peripheral and tissue-infiltrating stem cells called fibrocytes in patients with idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI).</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>Seven patients with IOI were studied. In the 3 patients requiring orbital biopsy, fibrocytes were identified in orbital tissue from patients with IOI compared with healthy controls using immunohistochemistry. Fibrocytes from the peripheral blood of all 7 patients and controls were quantified and phenotyped by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence for expression of CD34, alpha smooth muscle actin, CD40, and collagen 1. Quantitation of CD40-mediated interleukin-6 (IL-6) production was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Orbital biopsy specimens from patients with IOI demonstrate tissue infiltration by fibrocytes (n = 3). Fibrocytes are present in the peripheral blood of IOI patients (n = 7) but are scarce in healthy donors (n = 19). Fibrocytes from IOI patients express substantial levels of CD40, and ligation of CD40 increases IL-6 expression.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Fibrocytes are present in the peripheral blood and orbital tissues of patients with IOI and constitutively express CD40 and express IL-6 in response to ligation. This site-specific predilection of CD34<sup>+</sup> fibrocytes to sites of orbital inflammation and fibrosis may suggest a role in IOI. Moreover, CD40-mediated activation cytokine production may contribute to the proinflammatory and profibrotic features of IOI and may provide a mechanism for future targeted therapy.</p> </sec> </abstract>