Effect of topical cyclosporin A on herpetic stromal keratitis in a mouse model.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of topical cyclosporin A on herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) in a mouse model.


METHODS
The corneas of BALB/c mice were infected with herpes simplex type 1 virus. The mice were divided into 4 groups according to topical treatment methods: vehicle solution, 0.01% cyclosporin A, 0.1% cyclosporin A, and 1% cyclosporin A. The severity of stromal keratitis was graded clinically at 3, 7, 10, and 14 days after treatment. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations were performed to analyze infiltrating inflammatory cells and T lymphocytes at 14 days after treatment. Flow cytometry was performed to count CD4 T cells at 14 days after treatment.


RESULTS
On day 3 after treatment, there were no significant differences in mean severity scores of HSK between the vehicle and cyclosporin A-treated groups. On days 7, 10, and 14, the severity scores in the groups treated with 0.1% or 1% cyclosporin A decreased significantly compared with the vehicle group (P < 0.05). However, the scores in the group treated with 0.01% cyclosporin A did not change up to 14 days after treatment. By histologic and immunohistochemical analysis, a significant decrease in the total number of inflammatory cells and T lymphocytes was detected in the groups treated with 0.1% or 1% cyclosporin A. Flow cytometry also showed similar findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical cyclosporin A effectively reduces stromal haze and inflammation in experimental HSK, and cyclosporin A eyedrops with a >0.1% concentration can be used for the treatment of HSK.
Yoon
Kyung-Chul
KC
Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Dong-Gu, Gwangju, Korea. kcyoon@chonnam.ac.kr
Heo
Hwan
H
Kang
In-Seong
IS
Lee
Min-Chul
MC
Kim
Kyung-Keun
KK
Park
Soo-Hyun
SH
Cho
Kyoung-Oh
KO
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016572:Cyclosporine