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Hemoglobin exacerbates the ocular inflammatory response to endotoxin
M C McGahan1, A M Grimes, L N Fleisher
1Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA. chris_mcgahan@snl.cvm.ncsu.edu
Summary
Bleeding into inflamed eye tissues worsens inflammation. Hemoglobin iron (Fe) likely causes this by promoting free radical reactions, increasing white blood cell infiltration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Clinical observation suggests bleeding exacerbates inflammation.
- Hypothesis: Hemoglobin iron (Fe) catalyzes free radical reactions, worsening inflammation.
- Study investigates hemoglobin's effect on endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of autologous hemoglobin on endotoxin-induced ocular inflammation.
- To assess the role of hemoglobin iron (Fe) in this inflammatory response.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits received intravitreal endotoxin to induce mild ocular inflammation.
- Co-injection with apotransferrin (Fe-binding) or desferrioxamine (Fe-chelating) was performed.
- Inflammation was quantified by slit-lamp exam, protein concentration, and white blood cell count.
Main Results:
- Hemoglobin co-injection significantly exacerbated ocular inflammation, increasing white cell infiltration 15-fold.
- Apotransferrin and desferrioxamine markedly reduced the cellular inflammatory response.
- These findings implicate hemoglobin iron in the exacerbated inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Hemoglobin iron (Fe) is likely responsible for increased white blood cell infiltration.
- This highlights the role of hemoglobin in inflammatory processes.