An animal model for corneal graft rejection in high-risk keratoplasty.
An animal model for corneal graft rejection is described in which corneal neovascularization is induced prior to keratoplasty. This model closely resembles high-risk human corneal grafting, and relies on rejection being initiated solely by the transplanted corneal tissue. All eleven allografts performed using this model rejected; median time to rejection was 17 days. Two treatment regimens were assessed using this rejection model. Topical cyclosporine produced a significant improvement in graft survival (P = 0.0025). When systemic cyclosporine was administered there was a highly significant improvement in graft survival (P = 0.0001).
Hill
J C
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa.
Maske
R
R
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000187:drug effects; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011817:Rabbits
D003524:Cyclosporins