@article {1517185,
	title = {Characterization of Tear Immunoglobulins in a Small-Cohort of Keratoconus Patients},
	journal = {Sci Rep},
	volume = {10},
	number = {1},
	year = {2020},
	month = {2020 Jun 10},
	pages = {9426},
	abstract = {Keratoconus (KC) is classically considered a non-inflammatory condition caused by central corneal thinning that leads to astigmatism and reduced visual acuity. Previous studies have identified increased systemic levels of pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and matrix metalloproteinase-9, suggesting that KC may have an inflammatory component in at least a subset of patients. In this study, we evaluated the levels of different immunoglobulins (light and heavy chains) based on Ig α, Ig λ, Ig κ, Ig {\textmu}, and Ig heavy chain subunits in non-KC tears (n = 7 control individuals) and KC tears (n = 7 KC patients) using tandem-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The most abundant Ig heavy chains detected in both control individuals and KC patients were Ig α-1 and Ig α-2 likely correlating to the higher IgA levels reported in human tears. We identified significant differences in immunoglobulin κ-chain V-II levels in KC patients compared to control individuals with no significant difference in Ig κ/Ig λ ratios or heavy chain levels. Our study supports previous findings suggesting that KC possesses a systemic component that may contribute to the KC pathology. Further studies are required to define causality and establish a role for systemic immune system-dependent factors and pro-inflammatory processes in KC development or progression.},
	issn = {2045-2322},
	doi = {10.1038/s41598-020-66442-7},
	author = {McKay, Tina B and Serjersen, Henrik and Hjortdal, Jesper and Zieske, James D and Karamichos, Dimitrios}
}
