Conclusion
We assume that LIGHT along with its receptors may be a factor contributing to fibrosis and synechiae formation in the lacrimal sac. This assumption needs to be proven in a future study in a group of patients who fail to improve after the first operation.
Methods
Lacrimal sacs of 30 patients undergoing endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy because of LDO were assessed intraoperatively and histopathologically with respect to inflammation and fibrosis. Expression of LIGHT, HVEM and LTβR was assessed by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies and evaluated semiquantitatively using a four-grade scoring system.
Results
All investigated molecules, LIGHT/TNFSF14, HVEM and LTβR, were expressed in biopsies from all patients. The most prominent expression was seen within inflammatory infiltrates. Expression of LIGH, HVEM and LTβR correlated significantly with the intensity of fibrosis and duration of the disease. In multivariate analysis only LIGHT showed a significant relationship with fibrosis (β coefficient = 0.759, p = 0.02). There was no significant correlation between expression of any molecule and other demographic or clinical features.