[The macrophage contribution for maintaining lymphatic vessel in cornea]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Vascular Biology

Context:

• Corneal transplant rejection is linked to antigen-presenting cells and lymphangiogenesis.
• Macrophages (MPs) are implicated in lymphatic endothelial cell induction during inflammation.

Purpose:

• To investigate the association between corneal lymphatic vessels and activated MPs during inflammation.
• To determine the role of MPs in the formation and maintenance of corneal lymphatics.

Summary:

• Inflammation induced by corneal suture placement led to increased MPs and lymphatic vessel formation.
• C57BL/6 mice, with higher transplant rejection rates, showed more spontaneous lymphatic vessels and activated MPs than BALB/c mice.
• Depleting MPs in C57BL/6 mice reduced lymphatic vessel formation and lymphangiogenesis, confirming their role.

Impact:

• Activated MPs are crucial for initiating and sustaining corneal lymphangiogenesis.
• Understanding this mechanism could lead to strategies to reduce corneal transplant rejection.
• This research provides insights into the interplay between immune cells and vascular development in the eye.