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Exploring Immune Cell Signatures in Autoimmunity and Dry Eye Syndrome

NCT02715323 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 11

Last updated 2024-04-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Ocular surface disease, especially dry eye and scleritis, commonly affects patients with autoimmune diseases. Ocular surface immune cells are increased in autoimmune disease; however the full subset of immune cells activated is unknown. Recent experimental studies show that dendritic cells and T cells in the cornea are critically associated with corneal nerve innervation. Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) allows rapid non-invasive in vivo imaging of dendritic cells and corneal nerves. The investigators propose to investigate how ocular surface health, conjunctival immune cells and corneal nerve/dendritic cell morphology interact in 3 rheumatological conditions: Sjogren's syndrome (SS), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

The preliminary flow cytometric studies show that various immune cells (eg: T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells) can be quantified using minimally invasive impression membranes (Eyeprim). Clinically, the research team is experienced in measuring features of ocular surface inflammation (conjunctival redness, tear breakup times) with Oculus keratograph5M. The investigators also aim to harvest conjunctival immune cells using impression cytology and quantify specific cell types with flow cytometry. Corneal nerve morphology and dendritic cell density and distribution will be assessed using CCM; in collaboration with the group who have pioneered this technique.

The investigator anticipate that alterations in corneal nerve and dendritic cell parameters will correlate with immune activation/inflammation, deterioration of tear function and increased systemic severity of the rheumatological disease. In addition, the investigators hypothesize that the lower the corneal nerve density, the higher the number of corneal dendritic cells and conjunctival inflammatory cells. Studying these relationships may allow a better mechanistic understanding of local corneal and systemic immune activation and the development of a non-invasive ophthalmic surrogate marker of dendritic cell activation and nerve fibre loss to aid earlier diagnosis, risk stratification and the development of new therapies in autoimmune patients with severe dry eye.

Conditions

  • Autoimmunity
  • Dry Eye Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Cross-sectional study

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • TTSH Eye Clinic

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • Singapore National Eye Centre

    lead OTHER_GOV

Eligibility

Min Age
21 Years
Max Age
99 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2016-05-31
Primary Completion
2019-11-30
Completion
2019-11-30

Countries

  • Singapore

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02715323 on ClinicalTrials.gov