Elevated CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cell proportions associate with clinical activity and predict disease reactivation in noninfectious uveitis

© 2016, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Inc. All rights reserved. Purpose: To test the association between elevated proportions of CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and disease activation/reactivation in noninfectious uveitis. Methods: Noninfectious uveitis patients (n = 89) and healthy controls (n = 111) were recruited. The proportion of CD1c+ mDCs in the total dendritic cell (DC) population of peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry (CD1c+ mDCs gated on Lineage 1+HLADR+ DCs). Disease activity was assessed per Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature criteria. Uveitis reactivation was ascribed to clinically quiescent patients who developed reactivation of intraocular inflammation within 6 months. Results: The proportions of CD1c+ mDCs were increased in noninfectious uveitis patients, especially in active disease, compared to healthy controls. This CD1c+ mDC elevation was not associated with underlying systemic diseases, anatomic locations of uveitis, me