Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To explore the role of IL-10 in the cornea during Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection by examining the effects of the absence of IL-10 on the pathogenesis of this disease. Method: IL-10 gene knockout and wildtype mice were challenged by topical application of P. aeruginosa to wounded corneas. Corneas were examined clinically, microbiologically and histologically over 7 days. Additionally, cytokine and myeloperoxidase levels in corneas were determined. Results: The IL-10 gene knockout mice showed less severe corneal disease than the wild type mice, however, they had more extensive vascularisation of the cornea at 7 days. IL-10 gko mice had approximately five-fold reduction of the bacterial load at 7 days post-challenge compared to the wild type mice, with corresponding changes in chemokine, cytokine and VEG-F levels. Conclusion: The absence of IL-10, a pleiotropic cytokine with anti-inflammatory effects, leads to more effective control of bacterial infection of the cornea, but more extensive vascularisation. Local administration of anti-IL-10 antibody early in the infectious process may improve outcomes during this destructive disease of the cornea.
Keywords: 316 animal model • 380 cytokines/chemokines • 531 Pseudomonas