Abstract

The long-term objective of this project is to understand the function of the ocular secretory IgA system.
Specific aims i nclude characterization of rat tears by (1) determining the monomeric/polymeric IgA components and amount of free secretory component in tears and other secretions of male and female rats; (2) studying the influence of age and sex on the IgA and SC content in rat tears; and (3) studying the contribution of serum to tear immunoglobulins by infusion of 125I-labeled proteins and antibody into rats. The cells of the rat ocular secretory immune system will be studied by (4) determining the T and B lyymphocyte and Ia+ cell population of the exorbital gland and conjuctiva; (5) studying the influence of age and sex on the number of immunoglobulin-containing cells in exorbital gland; (6) evaluating the effect on the ocular system of age at which conventionalization occurs in germ-free rats, (7) studying the effect of excluding the topical ocular antigenic stimulation, by tarsorrhaphy of one eye, on the numbers of immunoglobulin-containing cells in the exorbital gland; and (8) characterizing the synthesis of IgA and SC by rat exorbital gland and conjunctiva in tissue culture. The ocular secretory IgA response to immunization will be studied by (9) using the ELISA technique to measure the occurence of natural antibodies in rat tears; and (10) developing methods for eliciting antibodies in tears by local and remote stimulation. The human ocular sIgA system will be studied by (11) determing by molecular sieve chromatography the characteristics of IgA and SC in tears; and (12) by the ELISA technique measuring the relative concentrations in tears, saliva, and serum of antibody to local (olcular) and remote (oral) bacteria; and (13) characterizing cells of the lacrimal gland, accessory lacrimal gland, and conjunctiva for their IgA1 and IgA2 content by immunofluorescence. The health relatedness of the projects: understanding the ocular sIgA system will allow development of methods to influence the system for the health of the eye.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY002882-07
Application #
3257187
Study Section
(SSS)
Project Start
1978-12-01
Project End
1988-11-30
Budget Start
1984-12-01
Budget End
1985-11-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Schepens Eye Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code

  Publications

Wickham, L A; Huang, Z; Lambert, R W et al. (1997) Effect of sialodacryoadenitis virus exposure on acinar epithelial cells from the rat lacrimal gland. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 5:181-95
Huang, Z; Lambert, R W; Wickham, L A et al. (1996) Analysis of cytomegalovirus infection and replication in acinar epithelial cells of the rat lacrimal gland. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 37:1174-86
Wickham, L A; Huang, Z; Lambert, R W et al. (1995) Herpes- and corona-virus infection of rat lacrimal acinar cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 371B:999-1002
Gao, J; Lambert, R W; Wickham, L A et al. (1995) Androgen control of secretory component mRNA levels in the rat lacrimal gland. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 52:239-49
Wickham, L A; Huang, Z; Lambert, R W et al. (1994) Sialodacryoadenitis virus infection of rat lacrimal gland acinar cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 350:193-6
Huang, Z; Lambert, R W; Wickham, L A et al. (1994) Influence of the endocrine environment on herpes virus infection in rat lacrimal gland acinar cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 350:189-92
Sullivan, D A; Vaerman, J P; Soo, C (1993) Influence of severe protein malnutrition on rat lacrimal, salivary and gastrointestinal immune expression during development, adulthood and ageing. Immunology 78:308-17
Sullivan, D A; Hann, L E; Yee, L et al. (1990) Age- and gender-related influence on the lacrimal gland and tears. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 68:188-94
Sullivan, D A; Hann, L E; Soo, C H et al. (1990) Neural-immune interrelationship: effect of optic, sympathetic, temporofacial, or sensory denervation on the secretory immune system of the lacrimal gland. Reg Immunol 3:204-12
Sullivan, D A; Yee, L; Conner, A S et al. (1990) Influence of ocular surface antigen on the postnatal accumulation of immunoglobulin-containing cells in the rat lacrimal gland. Immunology 71:573-80

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