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Selected Publication:
Rabensteiner, D.
The Seasonal Non-Allergic Conjunctivitis Syndrome
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp.
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Rabensteiner Dieter Franz
- Advisor:
- Horwath-Winter Jutta
- Lang-Loidolt Doris
- Schmut Otto
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Purpose: Symptoms of ocular allergy can also be observed among proven non-allergy sufferers during pollen seasons. This disease was described as seasonal non-allergic conjunctivitis (SNAC) - syndrome occurring due to the influence of pollen enzymes. Hazelnut und birch pollen are known to degrade human tear fluid and conjunctival cells. We investigated the effect of further pollen species from different plant families on human tear fluid and conjunctival cells. Material und Methods: Regional pollen species from different plant families (Adoxaceae, Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Juglandaceae, Malvaceae, Oleaceae, Pinaceae, Plantaginaceae, Poaceae, Salicacea, Sapindaceae) were collected. The proteolytic activity of the pollen was evaluated by Zymography. Subsequently, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of human tear fluid incubated with different pollen extracts was performed. Furthermore, human conjunctival cells (CHANG cells) were incubated with pollen extracts. Changes in cytomorphology were analysed by microscope and cell viability and cell death were assessed by a proliferation (MTS), a water-soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) and a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, as well as by the impedance based xCELLigence real time analysis system (RTCA), respectively. Results: Zymography revealed protease activity of different pollen species, presenting diverse zymographic patterns. PAGE revealed the degradation of tear fluid proteins by pollen species from different plant families. Conjunctival cells incubated with pollen extracts typically showed cytomorphological changes and a decrease in cell viability. The degree of cell damage was dose- and time-dependent. Conclusion: Pollen are widely present in the environment and an increasing number of people suffers from substantial complaints during flowering seasons, despite receiving common anti- allergic treatment. Pollen species from different plant families exert proteolytic activity and degrade human tear fluid as well as conjunctival cells, which may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SNAC.