Related Experiment Videos
Adenovirus keratitis: a role for interleukin-8
J Chodosh1, R A Astley, M G Butler
1Molecular Pathogenesis of Eye Infection Research Center, Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104, USA. james-chodosh@ouhsc.edu
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 11, 2000
Summary
Adenovirus type 19 (Ad19) infection triggers human corneal stromal fibroblasts to produce neutrophil-attracting chemokines. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a key mediator in the early immune response to Ad19 keratitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Adenovirus type 19 (Ad19) causes chronic subepithelial keratitis in the human cornea.
- Early corneal infiltrates in Ad19 infection are primarily composed of neutrophils.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of Ad19-infected human corneal stromal fibroblasts (HCFs) to produce neutrophil chemotactants (chemokines).
Main Methods:
- HCFs were infected with Ad19 or mock-infected.
- Neutrophil chemotaxis assays were performed on cell supernatants.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) measured interleukin-8 (IL-8) and GRO-alpha levels.
- Immunohistochemistry analyzed infected corneal facsimiles.
Main Results:
- Ad19 infection significantly increased neutrophil chemotaxis compared to controls.
- Neutralizing antibodies against IL-8 and GRO-alpha reduced chemotaxis.
- IL-8 protein levels were markedly elevated (300-1000 fold) post-infection.
- GRO-alpha levels showed a modest increase (sevenfold).
- IL-8 was detected in the extracellular matrix of infected corneal facsimiles.
Conclusions:
- Chemokine production by corneal stromal fibroblasts is crucial for the early innate immune response to Ad19 infection.
- Interleukin-8 plays a significant role in the development of subepithelial infiltrates in adenovirus keratitis.