[Immunohistochemistry studies on the thermal burn of cornea in rats]

To investigate immunological mechanism of corneal melting perforation and inflammation after thermal burn.

The models of severe corneal burns were induced with thermal metal in rats. Immunohistochemistry was carried out on wholemounts of the cornea, iris, choroid-sclera comples, retina at different time point after corneal burns, to derect T-lymphocytes and their subpopulation, macrophages, dendritic cells, MHC class II-positive cells.

In the early stage of the burns, there were small number of increasing T-lymphocytes, MHC class II-positive cells in the cornea and iris. At the period of corneal melting and perforation, a massive influx of lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8), macrophages and dentritic cells were seen in the cornea adjacent to limbers and iris. CD4 positive cells were much more than CD8 in number obviously. MHC class II-positive cell were found not only at the limbus but also in the melting area and corneal centre. Morphological changes of these cells were also noted. At restoration stage positive cells decreased gradually.

Immunological mechanism is involved in the pathogenesis of the damage induced with corneal thermal burns, especially in the pathogenesis of corneal melting and perforation after burn.