Lymphangiogenesis occurring in transplanted corneas.
To study corneal lymphangiogenesis after corneal transplantation, corneal allogenic transplantation models were established in rats. 8 female Wister rats were used as donors, and 16 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used as recipients and 2 SD served as controls. Corneal lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis was examined by electron microscopy 1 and 2 weeks after corneal penetrating transplantation, and the expression of lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor (LYVE-1) was examined 1, 3, 7, 14 days after the transplantation respectively. In addition, 19 allograft failed human corneas were examined by 5'-nase-alkaline phosphatase (5'-NA-ALP) double-enzyme-histochemistry staining to detect corneal lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis. By immunohistochemistry for LYVE-1, it was found that blown lymphatics were localized in the stroma 3 days after the corneal transplantation. With electron microscopy, new lymphatic vessels and blood vessels were found 1 and 2 weeks after the corneal transplantation. By 5'-NA-ALP enzyme-histochemistry, corneal hemangiogenesis was found in all allograft failed human corneas and 5 of 19 (26.3 %) cases had developed corneal lymphangiogenesis. It is concluded that corneal lymphangiogenesis is present after corneal transplantation, which may play an important role in allograft rejection.
Ling
Shiqi
S
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou, China.
Qing
Xiao
X
Hu
Yanhua
Y
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
C119248:LYVE1 protein, human; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins