Topical cyclosporine inhibits mast cell-mediated conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is a common condition caused by a mast cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction to immunoglobulin E-bound allergens. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of topical cyclosporine A on the development of mast cell-mediated conjunctivitis in mice.

Allergic conjunctivitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by topical applications of compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulating agent. In two separate experiments, mice were treated with topical cyclosporine A (0.05%, 0.2%, or 0.4%), prednisolone acetate 1%, or phosphate-buffered saline. Twenty-four hours after compound 48/80 instillation, the number of neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and the number of preserved goblet cells and undegranulated mast cells in the conjunctiva were counted by a masked observer.

In both experiments, treatment with all three doses of cyclosporine A resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the number of infiltrating neutrophils and eosinophils compared to saline-treated controls. There was no significant difference in the treatment effect of cyclosporine and prednisolone acetate. In addition, there was increased preservation of goblet cells in the cyclosporine A-treated animals. Immunohistochemical staining showed a reduction in infiltrating lymphocytes and a smaller reduction in infiltrating macrophages in animals treated with cyclosporine compared to saline-treated controls.

Topical cyclosporine A was effective in inhibiting the development of mast cell-mediated allergic conjunctivitis in mice. This study suggests that topical cyclosporine A may be effective in treating allergic conjunctivitis in humans.