Intracorneal bovine albumin: an immunologic model of corneal angiogenesis.
BACKGROUND
We characterized the neovascularization that follows the intracorneal injection of bovine albumin (BA) in rabbits as a model of corneal angiogenesis.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits received intracorneal injections of phosphate-buffered saline with and without various amounts of BA. The rabbits were co-sensitized or pre-sensitized by intramuscular BA or were not sensitized. The corneal vascular response was quantified by ranking photographs taken periodically after the injection.


RESULTS
In pre-sensitized animals, blood vessels were apparent within 4 days and reached maximum intensity 14 days after the intracorneal injection. Corneas also vascularized in non-sensitized rabbits, but a larger dose (> 0.2 mg BA) was required than in pre-sensitized animals (> 0.02 mg BA). Vascularization began later in non-sensitized animals and was less extensive than in pre-sensitized animals.


CONCLUSIONS
The intracorneal injection of BA is a reproducible model of corneal angiogenesis in rabbits and should allow the involved immunological mechanisms to be elucidated.
Damms
T
T
Medizinische Hochschule, Hanover, Germany.
Ross
J R
JR
Duplessie
M D
MD
Klintworth
G K
GK
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007114:Immunization; D007267:Injections; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011817:Rabbits; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine