Interferon-gamma induces apoptosis and expression of inflammation-related proteins in Chang conjunctival cells.

Abstract

In our model, IFNgamma induced expression of inflammatory molecules and apoptotic mediators, cell growth arrest, and apoptosis of Chang conjunctival cells. Moreover, our results suggest that activation of PKC is not involved in some IFNgamma cellular effects that possibly imply the upregulation and nuclear translocation of STAT1. IFNgamma-induced apoptosis could explain in part the recently reported coexistence of inflammation and programmed cell death in ocular surface inflammatory disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome.