J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1987 Oct;28(5):927-933.

Immune Reactions in Pterygium

• Lee SH
• Jeong HJ

Abstract

We examined surgically excised pterygial tissues from 24 patients under light microscope and direct immunofluorescence. The routine histologic examination of pterygial tissues disclosed a connective tissue stroma(dermis) and stratified squamous cell mucosa(epidermis). The presense of atrophy and acanthosis were confirmed in 15 cases(62.5%) and 8 cases(33.3%) of all 24 cases, respectively in the epidermis. And we observed predominantly basophilic degeneration in 14 cases(58%) and less frequently eosinophilic homogenization in 2 cases(8.3%) in the dermis. Perivascular lymphocytes were also seen in 4 cases(16.96) in the dermis. Of the 24 patients, 3(12.5%) showed positive staining with FITC-conjugated anti-human IgG. Direct immunofluorescence with FITC-conjugated anti-human IgM was found in only one case, defining in fluorescent intensity as negative and positive. IgA was not detected in the basement membrane, but was deposited in the cytoplasm of upper mucosa in 8 cases(33.3%). The fibrinogens were deposited linearly along the basement membrane in 14 cases(58.3%). These results suggest that an immunologic mechanism may contribute to the pathogenesis of pterygium.

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Basement Membrane
Basophils
Connective Tissue
Cytoplasm
Dermis
Eosinophils
Epidermis
Fibrinogen
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
Humans
Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Lymphocytes
Mucous Membrane
Pterygium*
Fibrinogen
Immunoglobulin A
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M