Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Anterior Segment Organ Culture Platform for Tracking Open Globe Injuries and Therapeutic Performance
07:27

Anterior Segment Organ Culture Platform for Tracking Open Globe Injuries and Therapeutic Performance

Published on: August 25, 2021

Immunosuppressive properties of tissues of the ocular anterior segment

J W Streilein1, D Bradley, Y Sano

  • 1Schepens Eye Research Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|July 26, 2012
PubMed

To determine whether explants of various tissues comprising the anterior segment of individual normal eyes can display immunosuppressive properties in vitro, explants of iris/ciliary body, cornea, cornea-limbus, sclera and conjunctiva were prepared from single eyes of BALB/c mice and tested for their capacity to suppress alloantigen-driven T cell activation in vitro. Cultured explants of iris and ciliary body, and of cornea, but not sclera or conjunctiva, suppressed T cell activation in vitro. Similarly, the supernatants of cultured iris/ciliary body and cornea explants displayed immunosuppressive properties. Prostaglandins appeared to make a minor contribution to the inhibition observed. The authors conclude that certain tissues within the anterior segment of the eye (iris, ciliary body, cornea) contain cells that secrete immunosuppressive factors, whereas other tissues (conjunctiva, sclera) lack this feature. The secretions of the former tissues undoubtedly contribute to the immunosuppressive features of the microenvironment in the anterior segment of the eye, and help to account for the existence of immune privilege.

More Related Videos

Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation09:03

Murine Corneal Transplantation: A Model to Study the Most Common Form of Solid Organ Transplantation

Published on: November 17, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Microbiome of the Eye01:22

Microbiome of the Eye

The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
Glaucoma: Overview01:25

Glaucoma: Overview

Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment01:27

Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment

In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems01:23

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

Ophthalmic drug delivery faces major limitations due to poor absorption across the corneal membrane. This process is primarily driven by diffusion and is influenced by two main factors: the physicochemical properties of the drug and tear drainage. Most ophthalmic drugs, such as pilocarpine, epinephrine, atropine, and local anesthetics, are weak bases. They are typically formulated at an acidic pH to enhance chemical stability. However, this leads to high ionization, reducing their ability to...
Accessory Structures of the Eye01:17

Accessory Structures of the Eye

Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...