The Role of Mast Cell in Hyperlaxity of Conjunctiva

Ko, Sung Min; Kim, Mi Kyung; Kim, Jae Chan

Abstract

To evaluate pathophysiology of Hyperlaxity of conjunctiva which induces itching, tearing and foreign body sensation, we examed conjunctival specimens of 11 hyperlaxity of conjunctiva patients, 13 pterygium, and 10 normal controls. It is hypothesized that mast cells may influence subconjunctival connective tissue for loosening, long standing edema and induce irreversible tissue destruction during the delelpoment of hyperlaxity of conjunctiva. We did the histologic evaluation, toluidine blue staining for counting mast cells in submucosal connective tissue and alcian blue/safranin staining for distinguisment of two phenotypes of mast cells(1. connective tissue mast cell(CTMC) 2. mucosal mast cell(MMC). We also compared it`s count, distributions with each groups. In normal specimens, the mean mast cell count was 3.5 and CTMC/MMC ratio was 2.0, whereas significant increase was noted in hyperlaxity of conjunctiva patients. Mast cell count and CTMC/MMC ratio were 13.5 and 5.5, in pterygium patients, 11.6 and 5.1 respectively. This result indicates that hyperlaxity of conjunctiva was closely related to the action of mast cell especially CTMC, which may destruct conjunctival architecture. Further evaluation is needed to reveal the role of mast cell in ocular surface disorders.