title: Effect of topical azithromycin on corneal innate immune responses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of azithromycin (AZM) in a murine model of corneal inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of topical AZM was studied in murine corneal inflammation. Corneal inflammation was induced by thermal cautery in BALB/c mice. Leukocyte infiltration at different time points was analyzed by flow cytometry. At set time points, real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the expression of different inflammatory cytokine transcript in the cornea. Corneal samples were analyzed immunohistochemically for the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Corneal neovascularization (CNV) was induced by micropellet (VEGF-A) placement. Mice were then treated topically with either AZM or vehicle. CNV was evaluated morphometrically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eyes receiving AZM showed a significant decrease in corneal infiltration compared with the vehicle-treated group. AZM also significantly decreased messenger RNA expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and ICAM-1 in the cornea. There was no significant difference in CNV between the AZM- and vehicle-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After an inflammatory insult, topical AZM significantly reduced leukocyte infiltration into the cornea. This was further supported by an associated decrease in expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in the cornea, indicating AZM may have a potential anti-inflammatory effect on corneal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sadrai
authors.forename: Amir Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hajrasouliha
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Saban
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Dastjerdi
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dana
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003315:Cornea; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015870:Gene Expression; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D017963:Azithromycin