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Immune-mediated Onchocerca volvulus sclerosing keratitis in the mouse
B Chakravarti1, J H Lass, D S Bardenstein
1Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35205.
Experimental Eye Research
|July 1, 1993
Summary
A new mouse model mimics human onchocercal sclerosing keratitis, a leading cause of blindness. This model aids in understanding the immune mechanisms behind this blinding eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Sclerosing keratitis, a major cause of blindness in onchocerciasis, has a poorly understood pathogenesis.
- Previous research established an immune-mediated guinea pig model for experimental interstitial keratitis.
- Limitations in available reagents for guinea pigs necessitated the development of a new model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a mouse model for studying onchocercal sclerosing keratitis.
- To investigate the immunopathogenesis of this blinding eye condition.
- To facilitate the examination of host genetic contributions to disease development.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mouse model for experimental interstitial keratitis.
- Intrastromal challenge with soluble antigens from Onchocerca volvulus.
- Analysis of the inflammatory cellular infiltrate and corneal pathology.
Main Results:
- The mouse model demonstrated an inflammatory response analogous to human and guinea pig models.
- Acute inflammation showed granulocytes; chronic inflammation involved lymphocytes, plasma cells, and histiocytes.
- Observed corneal pathology included neovascularization and stromal scarring.
Conclusions:
- The developed mouse model effectively replicates key features of onchocercal sclerosing keratitis.
- This model is valuable for studying the immunopathogenesis of onchocercal keratitis.
- It provides a platform for investigating host genetic factors influencing disease susceptibility and severity.