[The role of interleukin-2 in iron powder-induced intraocular inflammation]

To investigate the role of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in iron powder-induced intraocular inflammation in rabbits.

Twelve New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: paracentesis of the anterior chamber was performed in the control group, and either iron powder or iron powder with soluble interleukin-2 receptor (SIL-2R) were separately injected into the anterior chamber in the other two groups. The inflammatory reaction of the anterior chamber was observed and the levels of IL-2 in aqueous humor were measured by ELISA at 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after the injections. Pathological sections with HE staining and iron staining from different eyes enucleated 10 days after the iron powder injections were compared.

The inflammatory reaction of the anterior chamber was diminished and IL-2 concentrations in aqueous humor were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced in iron powder with SIL-2R injection group at 3, 5, 7, and 10 days (41.7 +/- 2.38, 102.3 +/- 2.46, 79.4 +/- 2.49, 31.6 +/- 1.80 pg/ml, Mean +/- SD, n = 8, respectively) when compared with iron powder injection group (158.5 +/- 4.76, 659.6 +/- 1.84, 511.7 +/- 3.35, and 79.4 +/- 2.85 pg/ml, Mean +/- SD, n = 8, respectively). Compared with control group, the levels of IL-2 were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in both iron powder and iron powder plus SIL-2R group.

Our results suggest that IL-2 play an important role in iron powder-induced intraocular inflammation that can be diminished by the inhibition of IL-2 receptor. The levels of IL-2 in the aqueous humor were significantly related to the degree of inflammation in anterior chamber.