Increased number of IgE-positive Langerhans cells in the conjunctiva of patients with atopic dermatitis

Purpose. To evaluate the possible involvement of immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-bearing Langerhans cells (LCs) of the conjunctiva in the development of ocular complications in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), we determined the surface distributor of the LCs bearing IgE in the conjunctival epithelium and in epiderm is from lesions of AD. Method.Using the double-labeling method, we evaluated IgE-positive cells that were positive for either anti-CD1a or anti-CD23 antibodies in an epithelial sheet of the conjunctival limt us. Materials were obtained from 12 patients; six of whom had AD, five had no atopic disease, and one patient had asthma but no AD. We conducted the same study using epidermal sheets obtained from two patients with, and from one without, AD. Results. The number of CD1a⁺ cells present in the conjunctival epithelium of the patients with AD significantly exceeded that of the patients without AD. Most CD1a⁺ cells in the conjunctival epithelium and epidermis from patients with AD bore IgE on their surface, but few such cells from patients without AD were arrayed with IgE. No CD23⁺ cells were found in patients with or without AD. Conclusion. The presence of numerous IgE-bearing LCs in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with AD may lead to an allergic reaction, particularly to airborne antigens, and lead to ocular disorders.