58 Long-term IFN-γ Treatment Alters Allergic Inflammation-Associated Gene Expression in Conjunctival Fibroblasts

mean hyperemia with CAPT was 2.3 6 0.6 units (between moderate and severe) and with EEC was 1.9 6 0.5 units (approximately moderate); these maxima occurred after 30 minutes with CAPT (rapid spike) and after 180 minutes with EEC (gradual increase). Mean swelling was ,1 unit out of 4 units at all times (CAPT and EEC), and mucous discharge was observed in only 1 subject during the study (with CAPT). Maximum mean itching with both CAPT and EEC was 2.8 6 1.0 units (approximately severe), but this maximum occurred after 20 minutes with CAPT (rapid spike) and after 180 minutes with EEC (gradual increase). Maximum mean tearing with CAPT was 1.2 6 0.7 units (approximately mild) and with EEC was 1.6 6 0.6 units (between mild and moderate); these maxima occurred after 15 minutes with EEC (rapid spike) and after 120 minutes with EEC (gradual increase). Conclusions: The time courses of allergic signs and symptoms differed between CAPT and EEC models; however, both models evoked similar maximum response levels. This demonstrates that the EEC model is a useful challenge model for mimicking natural airborne ocular allergen exposure.