Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the angiogenic role of NK cells in a murine model of basic-fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-micropellet-induced corneal angiogenesis.
Methods: :
Male 7-8 week old C57BL/6 mice were treated with NK1.1 (NK depleting) or isotype control antibody, intravenously two days before micropellet insertion, and at day 0, and day 3. Corneal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by micropellet (40ng bFGF) placement. CNV was evaluated by FITC-CD31 antibody staining. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, VEGFs, and VEGFRs were analyzed by real-time PCR. Infiltration of NK cells and macrophages was evaluated by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining.
Results: :
NK cell-depleted mice showed significantly decreased angiogenesis compared to isotype control treated mice (p=0.046). NK cell-depleted corneas had reduced numbers of infiltrating NK cells and macrophages (p=0.026) and reduced mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, CCL3, VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGFR3 at day 7 after micropellet insertion.
Conclusions: :
Our data suggest that NK cells contribute to angiogenesis by facilitating the infiltration and activation of macrophages.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • neovascularization • immunomodulation/immunoregulation