Cytokine expression in the alkali-burned cornea.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the cytokine expression profile in alkali-burned mouse corneas, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of corneal damage and repair.


METHODS
The cytokines expressed in alkali-burned corneas were identified by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), then quantitated using ELISA. Based on the ELISA results, immunohistochemical analyses were performed to localize cytokine expression.


RESULTS
Among the ten cytokines examined, IL-1 (IL-1 beta), IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha mRNA were expressed in alkali-burned corneas. Quantitation revealed that IL-alpha and IL-6 were strongly induced in the early stages of alkali burn, peak production of IL-1 alpha (53.2 pg/cornea) and IL-6 (23.6 pg/cornea) occurring at days 3 and 7, respectively. The production of IL-10 and TNF-alpha was not significantly elevated during the 42 day period after burn. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that both IL-1 alpha and IL-6 were mainly localized in regenerating epithelial basal cells.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-1 alpha and IL-6 levels in the cornea are dramatically elevated in the regenerated epithelium during the early stages of alkali burn, and may play an important role in associated corneal damage and repair.
Sotozono
C
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
He
J
J
Matsumoto
Y
Y
Kita
M
M
Imanishi
J
J
Kinoshita
S
S
D000468:Alkalies; D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000468:Alkalies; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger