Corneal Lymphangiogenesis in a murine bacterial keratitis model.

Abstract

Purpose : To evaluate corneal lymphangiogenesis and involvement of macrophages in a bacterial keratitis model in mice using Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Methods : The mouse bacterial keratitis model was established using Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO-1 and C57BL/6 mice. Strain PAO-1 (1×10⁴ CFU/25 ml) were applied to epithelial scratched corneas in the infected group, and PBS was applied after epithelial scratch in the control group. We evaluated lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, and macrophage infiltration by immunostaining of whole-mount corneas at days 2, 7 and 14 post-inoculation. Anti-CD31 antibody, anti-LYVE-1 antibody and anti-CD11b antibody were used for immunostaining. Alteration of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis by macrophage depletion was also evaluated using clodronate-containing liposomes.

Results : Lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis increased significantly in infected group at days 7 and 14 post-inoculation. A significant number of macrophages was observed around the lymphatic vessels in infected group. Moreover, macrophage depletion significantly reduced lymphatic vessel formation in infected group.

Conclusions : These results suggest that the process of lymphangiogenesis in bacterial infection of the cornea occurs at the late stage of infection probably induced by infiltrating macrophages.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.