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Optimizing rejection readouts in a corneal allograft transplantation model
Thabo Lapp1, Antonia Hildebrand1, Daniel Böhringer1
1Eye Center Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany.
Molecular Vision
|October 26, 2016
Summary
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) accurately detects corneal graft rejection in mice. This method shows lower variability than clinical scoring, offering a reliable readout for keratoplasty research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Transplantation immunology
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Keratoplasty, a common eye surgery, faces challenges with graft rejection.
- Current methods for assessing rejection in mouse models, like clinical scoring, have limitations in variability.
- Developing objective and reliable methods to monitor graft status is crucial for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of anterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) for detecting corneal graft rejection in a mouse model.
- To compare ASOCT with the standard clinical score system for evaluating rejection.
- To analyze observer variability and establish a critical threshold for ASOCT-based rejection detection.
Main Methods:
- Allogeneic and syngeneic penetrating keratoplasties (PKs) were performed in mice.
- Corneal graft rejection was assessed using a clinical score and ASOCT to measure central corneal thickness (CCT).
- Histopathological examination corroborated rejection status; customized software analyzed ASOCT data.
Main Results:
- ASOCT-measured CCT directly correlated with the clinical score for corneal opacity.
- Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis confirmed CCT as a valid rejection surrogate (AUC = 0.88, cut-off at 267 pixels).
- ASOCT analysis demonstrated lower intra- and inter-observer variability compared to the clinical score.
Conclusions:
- ASOCT is a feasible and reliable method for monitoring corneal graft rejection in mice.
- ASOCT offers a more objective readout with reduced variability compared to traditional clinical scoring.
- This imaging technique provides a valuable tool for advancing keratoplasty research.
