High-risk corneal allografts are capable of stimulating complement dependent cytolytic antibodies.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively characterize serum antibody responses in high-risk corneal allografts.


METHODS
Orthotopic and heterotopic C3H (H-2k) corneas were transplanted to CB6F1 (H-2b/d) recipient mice. Individual serum samples were collected at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 from orthotopically and heterotopically grafted mice. Samples were tested for anti-C3H antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples were also tested for the ability to lyse target cells in the presence of complement.


RESULTS
In high-risk donor-host combinations, 100% corneal allograft rejection occurs in the absence of IgG1 production. Both orthotopic and heterotopic corneal allografts induced cytolytic complement fixing antibody isotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
Allospecific corneal antibody may be involved in corneal graft rejection in high-risk donor-host combinations.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9057, USA.
S L
SL
Hargrave
S
S
Taherzadeh
S
S
Hegde
J
J
Niederkorn
D000818:Animals; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007518:Isoantibodies; D003165:Complement System Proteins