Increased Lacrimal Fluid Level of HMGB1 in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the lacrimal fluid concentration of HMGB1 in young patients affected by Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) compared to a control group of healthy subjects of same age.

Methods: Tear fluids was collected in a group of VKC patients and compared to a control group of healthy subjects. HMGB1 concentration was measured using the HMGB1 ELISA II test both in VCK and control subjects.

Results: The mean concentration of HMGB1 in tear fluids of 45 VKC patients was 0,977 ± 0,72 ng/ml whereas in the control group was 0,24 ± 0,25 ng/ml and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0,000106)

Conclusion: The concentration of HMGB1 in VCK patients was found to be significantly increased, suggesting a possible role of this protein in the inflammatory mechanism of VKC.

Keywords:

• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• HMGB1
• allergy

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.