Abstract
Purpose:
To test whether topical application of the anti-TNF alpha antibody Infliximab can reduce lymphangiogenesis and/or hemangiogenesis in an alkali burn mouse model of corneal neovascularization.
Methods:
Eighteen C57BL/6 mice were induced alkali burn model of the right cornea. Animals were then divided in two groups: group 1 received topical Infliximab 10mg/ml six times a day (10ul), group 2 received regular saline. After two weeks, animals were sacrificed, corneas stained for CD31 and LYVE1 to identify hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Finally, the corneas were whole mounted and imaged. Neovascularization was calculated as neovascular area, i.e. the area of the cornea covered by vessels normalized for the total area of the cornea.
Results:
Following topical application of Infliximab hemangiogenesis decreased from 0.81±0.12 to 0.6±0.24 (26% reduction, P<0.05). Lymphangiogenesis was also reduced from 0.11± 0.04 to 0.05± 0.02 (55% reduction, P<0.001), after topical treatment with Infliximab.
Conclusions:
Topical application of Infliximab 10mg/ml for two weeks is effective in reducing corneal hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in a mouse model of corneal alkali burn. Interestingly, Infliximab appeared more effective inhibting lymphangiogenesis than hemangiogenesis. Given the high prevalence of corneal neovascularization in a wide range of corneal diseases, we suggest these findings may have implications in the treatment of corneal neovascularization in human subjects.
Keywords: 765 wound healing •
480 cornea: basic science •
557 inflammation