Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To determine whether epithelium-deprived corneal allografts covered with syngeneic epithelium inhibit Langerhans cells (LC) migration in orthotopic transplantation. Methods:Full thickness allogeneic corneas (C57BL/6), and epithelium-deprived allogeneic corneas reconstituted with syngeneic (BALB/c) epithelium were transplanted orthotopically into normal eyes of BALB/c mice. Corneal sutures were removed at 7 days. Whole corneas were harvested at 12 days, and LC in corneal epithelium were numerated by use of immunehistochemical asssay under the confocal microscopy, in the recipient bed, in the graft junction, and in the donor central area, respectively. Results: LC density in the graft junction of full thickness corneal allografts was significantly higher than those in the recipient bed or in the donor central area. On the other hands, epithelium-deprived allogeneic corneas reconstituted with syngeneic epithelium display higher LC density in the donor central area than in the recipient bed or in the graft junction. LC density in the graft junction was significantly higher in full thickness allografts than those in epithelium-deprived allogeneic corneas reconstituted with syngeneic epithelium, however there were no differ in LC density in the recipient bed or in the donor central area, between two groups. Conclusion: LCs migrate intensely in the graft junction after full thickness corneal allografting. Whereas, reconstituted corneal allografts that are devoid of allogeneic epithelium, but are covered with a syngeneic epithelium, suppress LC migration into the graft junction.
Keywords: 435 immunomodulation/immunoregulation • 607 transplantation • 320 antigen presentation/processing