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Published on: December 8, 2023
Regression of mature lymphatic vessels in the cornea by photodynamic therapy
Background:
Corneal (lymph) angiogenesis is a predominant risk-factor for immune rejection after transplantation. Techniques to regress pre-existing pathological corneal lymphatic vessels prior to transplantation are missing so far. Therefore we analysed the possibility to regress corneal lymphatic vessels by photodynamic therapy (PDT), after intrastromal verteporfin injection.
Methods:
Combined hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis was induced in female BALB/c mice using the murine model of suture-induced inflammatory neovascularisation. Thereafter, the treatment group received an intrastromal injection of verteporfin (controls: phosphate buffered saline (PBS)) followed by PDT. Corneas were excised at different time points (1 day, 5 days and 10 days) after PDT and corneal whole mounts were stained with CD31 and LYVE-1 to quantify hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
Results:
Whereas blood vessels showed no significant reduction after PDT, lymphatic vessels could significantly be reduced with PDT after intrastromal verteporfin injection: 1 day after PDT, lymphatic vessels were reduced by 62% (p=0.20). After 5 days and 10 days, lymphatic vessels were reduced by 51% and 48% (p<0.001), respectively.
Conclusions:
This study for the first time shows that PDT after corneal intrastromal verteporfin injection can selectively regress lymphatic vessels. This may become a new 'preconditioning strategy' to reduce pre-existing corneal lymphatic vessels prior to transplantation and thereby reduce allograft rejection in high-risk patients.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin injection effectively regresses corneal lymphatic vessels, offering a new strategy to prevent transplant rejection. This method shows significant reduction in lymphatic vessels, aiding pre-transplant conditioning.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Corneal lymphangiogenesis is a major risk factor for immune rejection post-transplantation.
- Current methods to regress corneal lymphatic vessels before transplantation are lacking.
- This study investigates photodynamic therapy (PDT) for corneal lymphatic vessel regression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of PDT following intrastromal verteporfin injection in regressing corneal lymphatic vessels.
- To assess the potential of this approach as a preconditioning strategy for corneal transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Corneal hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were induced in a murine model.
- Mice received intrastromal verteporfin injection followed by PDT.
- Corneal whole mounts were analyzed for blood and lymphatic vessel density post-treatment.
Main Results:
- PDT significantly reduced corneal lymphatic vessels by 62% at 1 day, 51% at 5 days, and 48% at 10 days post-injection.
- No significant reduction in blood vessels was observed.
- The reduction in lymphatic vessels was statistically significant (p<0.001) at 5 and 10 days.
Conclusions:
- PDT following corneal intrastromal verteporfin injection selectively regresses lymphatic vessels.
- This technique represents a novel preconditioning strategy for corneal transplantation.
- Reducing corneal lymphatic vessels may decrease allograft rejection in high-risk patients.
