CA 19-9 ELISA test: a new method for studying mucus changes in tears

C Garcher, A Bron, C Baudouin, L Bildstein, J Bara, C Garcher, A Bron, C Baudouin, L Bildstein, J Bara

Abstract

Aims: This study investigated mucus changes in the tears in various eye conditions using impression cytology. The quantity of mucins was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the tumour marker CA 19-9. This assay quantifies the sialylated Lewis(a) structure mainly associated with ocular mucins.

Methods: Impression cytology was performed using a cellulose nitrate membrane, on 53 healthy patients, 50 glaucoma patients treated with beta blockers, 24 patients suffering from dry eye syndrome, and 45 contact lens wearers. The tear film glycoproteins were eluted and CA 19-9 was measured.

Results: CA 19-9 content expressed as kilo units (kU) per microgram of tears was significantly decreased in dry eye syndrome (25.8 kU (SD 17.3)/microgram) (p < 0.05), glaucoma patients over 60 years (28.9 (19.5) kU/microgram) (p < 0.05), and contact lens wearers (28.4 kU (18)/microgram) (p < 0.05), when compared with healthy individuals (39.4 kU (22.2)/microgram).

Conclusion: Impression cytology can be regarded as a valuable method for obtaining samples of glycoconjugates of mucin. The decrease of sialylated chains observed with this method confirms the hypothesis that some quantitative changes in the tear film may be encountered in ocular surface disorders.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CA 19-9 contents in tear film in different ocular pathologies. Results are given in 103 units of CA 19-9 per µg of tears.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Impression cytology stained with Mab NS 19-9 (patient Lewisa). Goblet cells (arrow) are stained with Mab. Cell nuclei are stained with 1% haematin. Positive strands of mucus (*) collected during sampling are also layered at the surface of the filter (× 300).

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