Inflammatory response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.
Recent advances in our understanding of the inflammatory response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa)-induced keratitis have revealed a critical role for the cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta in up-regulation of other cytokines/chemokines and promoting neutrophil (PMN) infiltration. Studies using antibody neutralization, knockout of caspase-1 (ICE), the enzyme that processes IL-1beta from the pro- to the active form, as well as use of an inhibitor of the enzyme, have provided evidence that decreasing levels of IL-1beta in the cornea improves disease outcome. When combined with antibiotic, the caspase-1 inhibitor provided better disease outcome than either the inhibitor or antibiotic alone, supporting the possibility of alternate therapy for this disease.
Hazlett
Linda D
LD
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. lhazlett@med.wayne.edu