title: Expression of cell adhesion molecules in corneal graft failure.
abstract: Corneal graft failure is frequently mediated by uncontrolled inflammatory disease. We studied the expression of cell adhesion molecules in seven penetrating keratoplasty specimens with graft failure and in a normal eye bank cornea using immunohistochemical staining and monoclonal antibodies against intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, CD54), lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, CD11a/CD18), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen (HLA-DR). ICAM-1 and HLA-DR were expressed on keratocytes and the corneal endothelium in six of the seven specimens. ICAM-1 expression was strongest in the corneas with the most severe inflammation (corneal allograft rejection and severe intraocular inflammation). LFA-1 is a counter-receptor for ICAM-1, and infiltration with leukocytes expressing either the alpha or beta chain of LFA-1 was found in areas of ICAM-1 expression in four of the seven corneas. In contrast, E-selectin was expressed in the stroma in only two specimens, and VCAM-1 in one specimen. Expression of cell adhesion molecules or MHC class II antigen were not detected in the normal eye bank cornea. These data suggest that ICAM-1 expression may play an important role in the development of corneal graft failure. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies to block ICAM-1 or its ligands may inhibit the development of corneal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Whitcup
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Nussenblatt
authors.forename: F W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism; D019040:E-Selectin; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D007634:Keratitis / Q000378:metabolism; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D012086:Reoperation; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1