Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Spreitzhofer, EM.
Der Einfluss von Pollenproteasen auf humane Bindehautzellkulturen.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2009. pp.58.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Lang-Loidolt Doris
- Schmut Otto
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: During pollen seasons allergy-like symptoms can also be observed in non-allergic persons more frequently. The reason for this non-allergic (rhino-) conjunctivitis [SNA(R)C] may be proteases, that are contained in pollen. Recently it has been proven that theses enzymes are able to destroy proteins in human tears. Therefore, the tear film becomes instable and dry sites on the ocular surface appear. Due to the fact that the conjunctiva is also exposed to pollen it is obvious that the conjunctiva becomes affected too whereby ocular irritations and inflammatory reactions occure. Methods: Human cultivated conjunctival cells, so called CHANG-cells, were incubated with extracts of birch pollen. Zymography was carried out in order to investigate the proteolytic activity of these pollen. Cytomorphological changes were analysed using the CASY1 Cell Counter. Via MTS-assay and following evaluation with an ELISA-reader the cell vitality, respectively the cytotoxicity, was quantified. The vitality of the cells, which were incubated with pollen extract, was compared with the vitality of the controll cells and the results were statistically evaluated. Results: Depending on the pollen extract concentration and the incubation period the treatment of CHANG-cells with pollen extract of birch induces a statistically significant decrease of the cell vitality. Conclusion: The cell damage caused by pollen proteases defines the allergy-like irritations of the conjunctiva, that can also be observed in non-allergic persons more frequently. However, there is a lack of antiproteases, wich can be found within the dry eye syndrome for example, pollen proteases become capable of unfolding their destructive effects. This fact declares why not everybody is affected by this reaction mediated by pollen proteases. It is also perspicuous that antiallergic drugs are ineffective in SNAC-patients, because allergies have completely different reaction pathways versus the pollen protease reaction within the SNAC-syndrome.