| 외안F-034 |
| Immune responses in ocular allergy |
| Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Eye Center , Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Immunology (1) |
| Daniel Saban |
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Purpose : To investigate the possible role for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a murine model of ocular allergy.
Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized once with 100 ug ovalbumin (OVA) + pertussis toxin (300 ng) + aluminum hydroxide (1 mg). After 2 weeks, mice were challenged once/daily with OVA (250 ug) eye-drops and examined 20 min later for 10 d. Some mice received systemic VEGF receptor inhibitor (axinitib) to block VEGF function in this model. Corneal neovascularization was evaluated by FITC-CD31 antibody staining. Expressions of VEGFs at the mRNA level in the cornea and conjunctivae were evaluated by real-time PCR. Conjunctivae were also collected to enumerate eosinophil recruitment by flow cytometry.
Results : Significant presence of corneal lymph-angiogenesis developed in this model, with increased mRNA expression of VEGF-A/C/D/R3 in the cornea and VEGF-A/D in the conjunctiva. Administration of axinitib led to decreased eosinophil infiltration of the conjunctiva and reduced clinical signs of ocular allergy.
Conclusion : These results suggest that VEGF is one of the major determinants of ocular allergy and that anti-VEGF therapy may be useful in clinical disease.
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