Cutting edge: atopy promotes Th2 responses to alloantigens and increases the incidence and tempo of corneal allograft rejection.
A large body of evidence suggests that corneal allograft rejection is mediated by a type 1 Th cell response and that deviation toward type 2 immunity favors graft survival. However, clinical observations indicate that patients with severe ocular allergies have increased risk of corneal allograft rejection. We used a mouse model of atopic conjunctivitis to evaluate the effects of Th2 immune deviation on corneal allograft survival and possible mechanisms of graft rejection. Our results reveal the following novel findings: 1) atopic conjunctivitis promotes systemic Th2 immune responses to corneal graft donor alloantigens; 2) corneal allografts in atopic host eyes have an increased incidence and swifter tempo of rejection; 3) increased rejection is associated with alterations in systemic T cell-mediated responses to donor alloantigens; and 4) corneal allograft rejection in atopic hosts does not require the direct involvement of infiltrating eosinophils.
Beauregard
Clay
C
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, 75390, USA.
Stevens
Christina
C
Mayhew
Elizabeth
E
Niederkorn
Jerry Y
JY
D031164:Ambrosia / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D015994:Incidence; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D007519:Isoantigens