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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation
Published on: November 17, 2014
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist eye drops promoting high-risk corneal allografts survival in rats
Ying Jie1, Wen-hua Zhang, Zhi-qiang Pan
1Institute of Ophthalmology, Tongren Eye Centre, Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
Background:
Immune rejection is the main reason of grafts failure after corneal transplantation. This study was to determine whether interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) eye drops could prolong corneal allografts survival in high-risk corneal orthotopic allotransplantation in rat model and to study the effect of IL-1ra on the expression of CD1-positive cells in the grafts.
Methods:
For all experiments, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats' corneas were transplanted into Wistar rats' eyes. High-risk transplants included those that had been sutured into Wistar recipient beds with corneal neovascularization induced by placement of three interrupted sutures in the host cornea 7 days earlier. All the animals were divided, in a masked fashion, into three treatment groups and one control group. Each treatment group received IL-1ra eye drops of different concentrations (1 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml, or 5 mg/ml, respectively) four times a day for 30 days. The control group received 0.9% normal saline (NS) eye drops in the same way as the treatment groups. All allografts were evaluated for signs of rejection from the first day after surgery. Ten days later, corneal specimens were processed to examine the expression of CD1-positive cells and histopathological changes.
Results:
The survival time of the transplants was 5.80 +/- 0.79, 5.89 +/- 1.05, 6.78 +/- 0.83, and 9.00 +/- 2.36 days respectively in the control or three treatment groups. Compared with the control group, 1 mg/ml IL-1ra eye drop did not prolong the survival time of the allografts (t = 0.210, P > 0.05). However, 3 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml IL-1ra eye drop did prolong the survival time of the grafts (t >or= 2.627, P < 0.05), with the latter showing more obvious effect. Immunohistochemical examinations showed a significant decrease in inflammatory cell and CD1-positive cell infiltration in IL-1ra treated groups compared with the control group.
Conclusions:
IL-1ra can promote corneal allograft survival in a dose-dependant manner by reducing the infiltration of CD1-positive cells in high-risk corneal transplantation.
Insights
Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) eye drops significantly prolonged corneal allograft survival in a rat model. Higher concentrations of IL-1ra reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, improving graft survival in high-risk corneal transplants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Immune rejection is a primary cause of corneal graft failure.
- High-risk corneal transplantation presents significant challenges due to immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) eye drops in prolonging corneal allograft survival.
- To investigate the impact of IL-1ra on CD1-positive cell expression in corneal grafts.
Main Methods:
- Corneal transplantation performed in a rat model (Sprague-Dawley to Wistar rats).
- High-risk group involved pre-induced corneal neovascularization.
- Treatment groups received varying concentrations of IL-1ra eye drops (1, 3, 5 mg/ml) or saline control for 30 days.
- Graft survival and CD1-positive cell infiltration were assessed.
Main Results:
- IL-1ra at 3 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml significantly prolonged corneal allograft survival compared to the control.
- The 5 mg/ml concentration showed a more pronounced effect on graft survival.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant reduction in inflammatory and CD1-positive cell infiltration in IL-1ra treated groups.
Conclusions:
- IL-1ra demonstrates a dose-dependent efficacy in promoting corneal allograft survival.
- IL-1ra reduces CD1-positive cell infiltration, a key factor in high-risk corneal transplantation rejection.
