Altered Prostaglandin E Receptor Subtype 3 Expression in Lacrimal Glands of Patients with Chronic Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To compare the prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype 3 (EP3) distribution in the lacrimal glands of normals, non-specific dacryoadenitis, and chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) patients.

METHODS

Biopsies from lacrimal glands of four chronic SJS patients with severe dry eye disease, four dacryoadenitis patients, and five fresh body donors were assessed for EP3 expression using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

In normal main and accessory lacrimal glands, EP3 is expressed strongly in nuclei and cytoplasm of majority (>75%) of acini with no ductular expression. In dacryoadenitis, EP3 expression was similar to normal glands. However, lacrimal glands from SJS patients (5-20/HPF mononuclear cells) showed a weak and reduced (<10% acini) EP3 expression within acinar cells. The reduction in intensity was more in glands with higher mononuclear cell infiltration (>10/HPF).

CONCLUSION

There is downregulation of EP3 expression in the lacrimal glands of SJS patients, whereas EP3 expression is preserved in non-specific lacrimal gland inflammations.