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Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Immunopathological Insights and Therapeutic Applications of Immunomodulators
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Immunopathological Insights and Therapeutic Applications of Immunomodulators

Navpreet K. Hehar and DeGaulle I. Chigbu
Life (Basel, Switzerland), v 14(3), 361
01 Mar 2024
PMID: 38541686
url
https://doi.org/10.3390/life14030361View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open CC BY V4.0

Abstract

Review
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a complex and multifactorial disease process that employs Th2 cell-mediated immunologic processes, which involves the overexpression of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-31, and the activation of mast cells that release IL-5 and CCL-11, recruiting eosinophils to the site of inflammation. The disease primarily affects young males and is more common in regions with warm climates. VKC is characterized by persistent and recurrent conjunctival inflammation that can adversely affect the patient’s quality of life, and, when inadequately treated, may lead to a host of ocular complications, such as corneal shield ulcers and scarring. The major distinct forms of VKC include limbal or palpebral, which may occur in combination. The clinicopathological features of VKC include the presence of pseudogerontoxon, limbal gelatinous hyperplasia, and perilimbal hyperpigmentation. Topical immunomodulators are effective anti-steroidal options for controlling severe and chronic cases of VKC. This review will provide a brief overview of topical immunomodulators, including cyclosporin and tacrolimus, and will highlight the clinical manifestations, pathological mechanisms, and fibroproliferative changes in the conjunctiva that can result from recurrent disease.

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8 citations in Scopus

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Web of Science research areas
Biology
Microbiology
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