[An experimental study on subconjunctival interleukin-1 receptor antagonist for promotion of corneal transplant survival].
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the subconjunctival application of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can prolong the corneal graft survival in the rat model of orthotopic penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
For all experiments, F344 corneas were transplanted into LOU (major histocompatibility-disparate) eyes. Experimental groups received subconjunctival injection of 50, 100 and 200 microg IL-1ra respectively, and the control group received the same volume of 0.9% normal saline instead for consecutive 2 weeks. All transplants were evaluated for 4 weeks after surgery for signs of rejection.


RESULTS
The mean survival time (MST) of the grafts of the experimental groups was increased significantly (t = 0.00, P < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. The MST of the IL-1ra 200 microg group was increased significantly than that of the IL-1ra 50 microg group (t = 0.00, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the IL-1ra-treated grafts had significantly less corneal inflammation, infiltration, lower levels of opacity, edema, neovascularization and rejection index compared with the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Subconjunctival treatment of IL-1ra has a significantly positive effect on promoting corneal allograft survival. And its effect is dosage-dependent.
Zhai
C
C
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing 100005, China.
Zhang
W
W
Zou
L
L
Pan
Z
Z
Li
N
N
Wu
Y
Y
Lu
L
L
Zhang
S
S
Ma
D
D
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins