Short-term Efficacy of Topical Immunosuppressive Agents on the Survival of Cultivated Allo-Conjunctival Equivalents.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the short-term efficacy of topical immunosuppressive agents on the survival of cultivated allo-conjunctival equivalents.


METHODS
Twenty-five eyes of New Zealand white rabbits were included. Temporal conjunctivae were trephined to a diameter of 7.5 mm, and then cultured allo-conjunctival epithelial cells on amniotic membrane were transplanted onto them. Various immunosuppressants including steroid, cyclosporine, and rapamycin were applied topically four times a day for a week. Epithelial defects and graft edema were graded daily. Numbers of inflammatory cells were measured in H&E. PKH26 and cytokeratin 4 and 7 were immunostained.


RESULTS
Earlier epithelialization was observed in 1% steroid-treated eyes and defects persisted significantly in 0.5% CsA applied eyes. In histology, PKH26 positive cells considered as donor cells were only found in 1% steroid or 0.01% rapamycin applied eyes. 1% steroid- or 0.01% rapamycin-applied eyes both showed positive staining for keratin-4 and -7. Inflammatory cells were less found in 1% steroid or 0.01% rapamycin treated eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical steroid or rapamycin can help to suppress acute inflammation and enhance the acute survival of transplanted conjunctival cells.
Shin
Young Joo
YJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
Kim
Mee Kum
MK
Oh
Joo Youn
JY
Wee
Won Ryang
WR
Lee
Jin Hak
JH
Ko
Jung Hwa
JH
Lee
Hyun Ju
HJ
Lee
Jae Lim
JL
Min
Byung Moo
BM
Sohn
Young Suk
YS
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053527:Keratin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D053552:Keratin-7 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000378:metabolism; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000494:pharmacology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053527:Keratin-4; D053552:Keratin-7; D009930:Organic Chemicals; C070080:PKH 26; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone; D020123:Sirolimus