Elevated Levels of Human α -Defensin in Tears of Patients with Allergic Conjunctival Disease Complicated by Corneal Lesions: Detection by SELDI ProteinChip System and Quantification

Abstract

Alpha-defensins were found in greater concentrations in tears of allergic patients with corneal lesions. The antimicrobial effects of alpha -defensins may play a role in the prevention of secondary infection of corneal lesions in allergic patients. SELDI ProteinChip technology is a useful and effective tool in profiling the differential expression of proteins in tears.