Immunohistological study of infiltrated cells and cytokines in murine herpetic keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To identify localization and kinetics of infiltrated cells and cytokines in murine herpetic keratitis.


METHODS
HSV-1 was inoculated onto the scarified BALB/c corneas. At given times post infection (PI), eyes were removed and studied immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against several infiltrated cells and cytokines.


RESULTS
Neutrophils and NK cells infiltrated as early as 1 day PI reaching a maximum number at 2 day PI in initial stage. gamma delta TCR positive cells were observed in the corneal stroma from 1 day PI to 8 day PI. IL-2 and IFN-gamma were positive in the cell-infiltrated areas of the epithelial and stromal lesions, whereas IL-4 was negative throughout the experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicated that cytokine profile upon herpes infection on the cornea is Th1 dominant. Together with neutrophils in the early phase of infection, gamma delta positive T cells may play an additional role in protecting the cornea against incoming pathogens.
Inoue
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita Osaka, Japan.
Inoue
Y
Y
Kosaki
R
R
Inoue
Y
Y
Nishida
K
K
Shimomura
Y
Y
Tano
Y
Y
Hayashi
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002465:Cell Movement; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D007371:Interferon-gamma