Comparative immunological study of of lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty in murine model

Abstract

AbstractPurpose Lamellar keratoplasty (LK) has been considered an acceptable alternative surgery for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), because LK has the advantage of lower risk of graft rejection and intraocular complications, according to recent clinical outcomes. But the relative immunological mechanism of graft rejections for the two procedures is uncertain. We have developed a murine model of lamellar keratoplasty to try to understand the immunological mechanisms of those two procedures.Methods We have developed a murine model of lamellar keratoplasty to try to understand the immunological mechanisms of those two procedures through real‐time PCR, immunohistochenistry, and flow cytometric analysis.Results LK mice showed less graft rejection than PK mice and LK led to less DTH response and IFN‐γsecretion in vitro recall assay of T cells from drainage lymph nodes, as compared to PK (acceptance; acc). Corneal expression of IL‐1β and IFN‐γ in PKacc were significantly increased later. In addition, LK showed less angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in grafted cornea than PK, and LK led to decreased number of MHCIIhighCD11c+ antigen presenting cells(APCs) in the draining LNs.Conclusion In conclusion, these results show that LK presents less graft rejection than PK through lower angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, which could make pathologic T cells and APC less migration into drainage LNs and grafted corneas, respectively.