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Suppression of corneal neovascularization with cyclosporine
R M Lipman1, R J Epstein, R L Hendricks
1Department of Ophthalmology, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Abstract:
We sought to determine if cyclosporine, which has been shown to suppress corneal allograft rejection, could also suppress corneal neovascularization induced by interleukin 2. Thirty A/J mice were treated with daily intramuscular injections of cyclosporine (25 mg/kg in olive oil) for 3 days before and 2 weeks following the intrastromal injection of 0.5 microL (5 IU) of recombinant mouse interleukin 2. Controls received intramuscular injections of olive oil. The mean area of corneal neovascularization 4, 8, and 12 weeks after injection was 9.2, 9.1, and 9.2 mm2, respectively, in controls, and 5.0, 5.2, and 5.2 mm2 in cyclosporine-treated mice (P less than .02; Student's t test). Cyclosporine causes a significant reduction in interleukin 2-induced corneal neovascularization that may, in part, account for its ability to prolong corneal allograft survival in high-risk cases.
Insights
Cyclosporine significantly reduces interleukin 2-induced corneal neovascularization in mice. This finding may explain cyclosporine
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Corneal allograft rejection is a significant clinical challenge.
- Cyclosporine is known to suppress immune responses and prevent graft rejection.
- Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is implicated in inflammatory processes, including neovascularization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of cyclosporine in suppressing interleukin 2-induced corneal neovascularization.
- To determine if cyclosporine's anti-angiogenic properties contribute to its corneal graft-sparing effects.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model was used to induce corneal neovascularization with recombinant mouse interleukin 2.
- Mice received daily intramuscular injections of cyclosporine or olive oil (control).
- Corneal neovascularization was quantified at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-injection.
Main Results:
- Cyclosporine treatment significantly reduced the mean area of corneal neovascularization compared to controls (5.0-5.2 mm2 vs. 9.1-9.2 mm2).
- The reduction in neovascularization was statistically significant (P < .02).
- These results demonstrate a potent anti-neovascularization effect of cyclosporine in this model.
Conclusions:
- Cyclosporine effectively suppresses interleukin 2-induced corneal neovascularization.
- This anti-neovascularization effect likely contributes to the known ability of cyclosporine to prolong corneal allograft survival, particularly in high-risk scenarios.