Membrane array analysis of tear proteins in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

PURPOSE: To explore non-invasive, protein-based, membrane array technology as a means to evaluate the global immune and angiogenic profile of tear proteins in patients with active ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

METHODS

Forty-three proteins consisting of cytokines, angiogenic/growth factors, and immunoinflammatory modulators were measured by membrane array in tear samples of four control patients and four OCP patients during active disease and after treatment.

RESULTS

Signals for several distinct and consistent molecular entities were upregulated in all four active OCP tear samples relative to controls. In particular, interleukin-8 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were elevated during active disease and decreased after systemic immunomodulatory therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Protein array analysis may provide a well-tolerated assay to monitor levels of inflammatory markers in the tears of OCP patients in response to therapy.