Topical cyclosporine inhibits mast cell-mediated conjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Whitcup
S M
SM
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1858, USA.
Chan
C C
CC
Luyo
D A
DA
Bo
P
P
Li
Q
Q
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000633:toxicity
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D016572:Cyclosporine; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone