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Inflammatory response to fungal keratitis
Bradley M Mitchell1, Kirk R Wilhelmus
1Sid W. Richardson Ocular Microbiology Laboratory, Cullen Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. bmm@bcm.tmc.edu
The Ocular Surface
|January 12, 2007
Summary
Fungal keratitis, a cause of vision loss, is worsened by epithelial barrier disruption and immunosuppression. These factors increase fungal invasion and inflammation in the eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Mycology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ocular fungal infections are a significant global cause of vision impairment.
- Fungal keratitis pathogenesis involves complex microbe-host interactions, with epithelial barrier integrity and host immune status being key factors.
- Previous research has highlighted the role of epithelial barrier disruption and immunosuppression in susceptibility to fungal keratitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of epithelial barrier disruption and immunosuppression on the susceptibility and pathogenesis of fungal keratitis.
- To elucidate the specific host-pathogen interactions contributing to fungal keratitis severity.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for fungal keratitis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an experimental murine model of fungal keratitis.
- Assessed host susceptibility following disruption of the epithelial barrier and/or immunosuppression.
- Quantified fungal invasion, neutrophilic infiltration, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in corneal tissues.
- Monitored fungal morphogenic switching from yeast to hyphae.
Main Results:
- Disruption of the epithelial barrier and immunosuppression significantly increased susceptibility to fungal keratitis.
- Increased susceptibility correlated with enhanced neutrophilic infiltration into the cornea.
- Greater fungal invasion of the corneal stroma was observed in susceptible hosts.
- Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and fungal morphogenic switching (yeast to hyphae) were associated with increased disease severity.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial barrier integrity and host immunosuppression are critical determinants of fungal keratitis severity.
- Neutrophilic infiltration, MMP-9 up-regulation, and fungal hyphal transition are key pathogenic events in susceptible hosts.
- Understanding these pathogenic mechanisms provides insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies against sight-threatening fungal eye infections.
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