Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Trans-vivo Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Assay for Antigen Specific Regulation
Published on: May 2, 2013
Changes in the immune response against BCP 54 following corneal transplantation in man
M J Jager1, F G Kok, L Broersma
1Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Insights
Immune responses to bovine corneal protein (BCP) 54 after corneal transplantation do not predict rejection. While a temporary immune response may occur, it doesn't necessarily lead to graft failure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Bovine corneal protein (BCP) 54 is a major soluble corneal protein.
- Immune responses to BCP 54 are linked to corneal and anterior eye inflammatory diseases.
- The role of anti-BCP 54 immune response in corneal transplantation is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cell-mediated immune response against BCP 54 in corneal transplantation.
- To determine if pre-existing or post-transplant anti-BCP 54 responses correlate with clinical outcomes, specifically graft rejection.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cell-mediated immune response against BCP 54 in 46 patients.
- Measurements were taken before and at multiple time points during the first year post-corneal transplantation.
Main Results:
- Pre-transplant anti-BCP 54 response showed no association with clinical parameters or post-transplant rejection.
- The highest frequency of positive immune responses against BCP 54 was observed at three months post-transplantation.
- This transient, tissue-specific immune response did not correlate with graft rejection.
Conclusions:
- Corneal transplantation may temporarily stimulate an immune response to BCP 54, a previously sequestered antigen.
- The anti-BCP 54 immune response has no prognostic value for corneal graft rejection.
- Further research is needed to understand the immunobiology of corneal transplantation.
Abstract:
Bovine corneal protein (BCP) 54 is the major soluble protein of the cornea. Immune responses against this protein can be observed in patients with corneal disease or inflammatory disease of the anterior chamber of the eye. We wanted to determine whether an immune response against this corneal protein plays a role in corneal transplantation. A cell-mediated immune response against BCP 54 was therefore determined in 46 patients prior to and on several occasions during the first year following corneal transplantation. The presence of an anti-BCP 54 response before transplantation was not associated with any clinical parameters or with rejection following transplantation. The highest frequency of positive responses was observed three months after transplantation. Transplantation may have stimulated a temporary immune response against a previously sequestered antigen, but this tissue-specific immune response did not necessarily lead to rejection. Therefore, no prognostic value can be attributed to the anti-BCP 54 response.
