Lymphocyte infiltration and activation in iris-ciliary body and anterior chamber of mice in corneal allograft rejection

AIM: To investigate the infiltration and activation of lymphocyte in iris-ciliary body and anterior chamber after allogenic penetrating keratoplasty (PK), for further revealing the role of iris-ciliary body in corneal allograft immune rejection. METHODS: In the mice models of PK, BALB/C mice received orthotopic isografts (n =35) or C57BL/6 donor allografts (n=25). Grafts were examined daily for 3 weeks by slit-lamp microscopy and scored for opacity. The infiltration of CD4(+) T lymphocyte in iris-ciliary body and anterior chamber was examined by immunohistology and the mRNA of CD80 and CD86 in both cornea graft and iris-ciliary body by RT-PCR was analyzed in allograft recipient at days 3, 6, 10 and the day when graft rejection occurred. Isograft recipients were examined as control at the corresponding time points. Transmission electron microscope was used to study the ultrastructure, especially cell infiltration, of iris-cilary body and corneal graft at day 3, 7 and the day when rejection occurred after allogenic PK. RESULTS: Rejection was observed in all the allograft recipients followed more than 10 days, at a median time of 15 days (range 12-18 days), but not in any of isografts. CD4(+) T cells were first detected at day 6 after transplantation in limbus and Ciliary body, and then in the stroma of recipient, iris, anterior chamber and corneal allograft with an increased number until graft rejection occurred. CD80 and CD86 mRNA were detected under RT-PCR examination in both graft and iris-ciliary body of allograft recipient, but not in any of isograft recipient. Three days after operation, lymphocytes and monocytes macrophages were visible in iris blood vessels and the anterior chamber, and vascular endothelial cell proliferation and activation were significant under transmission electron microscopy examination. At day 7, corneal endothelial cells became thinner. Lymphocytes and mononuclear macrophages were found with great number in the anterior chamber and adhered to the corneal endothelium. Blood vessels in iris increased and were filled with lymphocytes. And lymphocytes were detected to migrate through endothelial cell gap out of vessels. When allograft rejection occurred, macrophages attached to endothelial cells with large number of lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrating in iris. CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte infiltration and activation occurred in iris-ciliary body after allogenic PK, and the lymphocytes could migrate from iris blood vessel to the anterior chamber, which might play an important role in corneal allograft immune rejection.

Immunohistochemical Studies of Macrophages and MHC Class Ⅱ -positive Cells in the Iris and Ciliary Body of Lewis Rats

Purpose:To investigate the density, distribution and morphology of macrophages and MHC class II -positive dendritic cells in the iris and ciliary body of lewis rats. Methods:Immunohistochemistry was performed using monoclonal antibodies specific to monocytes and macrophages (ED1,ED2) and MHC class II -positive cells (OX6) on wholemounts of the iris-ciliary body complex isolated form normal lewis rats.Results:A well developed network of macrophages was present in the iris and ciliary body of normal lewis rats. These cells, morphologically displaying dendriti-form or pleiomorphic appearance, were more densely arranged in mid-iris (950 + 189 cells/mm2) than in iris base (482 ± 78 cells/mm2) and pupil margin (595 ± 92 cells/mm2). A similar network of MHC class II -positive cells with a cell density 452 ± 78 cells/mm2 was almost uniformly distributed in the iris of normal lewis rats.Conclusions : A network of macrophages and MHC class II -positive cells was established in the iris and ciliary body of