title: Role of activated macrophages in experimental Fusarium solani keratitis.
abstract: Macrophages under the conjunctival tissue are the first line defender cells of the corneas. Elimination of these cells would lead to aggravation of fungal keratitis. To determine how the course of fungal keratitis would be altered after the activation of these macrophages, a murine model was achieved by intrastromal instillation of latex beads before the corneas were infected with Fusarium solani. The keratitis was observed and clinically scored daily. Infected corneas were homogenized for colony counts. The levels of the IL-12, IL-4, MPO, MIF and iNOS cytokines were measured in the corneas using real-time polymerase chain reactions and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the corneas, submaxillary lymph nodes and peripheral blood were detected using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. The latex bead-treated mice exhibited aggravated keratitis. Substantially increased macrophage and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration was detected in the corneas, although few colonies were observed. There was a marked increase in the IL-12, IL-4, MPO, MIF and iNOS expression in the corneas. The numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly enhanced in the corneas and submaxillary lymph nodes. However, the number of CD4+ lymphocytes was decreased in the peripheral blood, while the number of CD8+ lymphocytes increased. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the activation of macrophages in the cornea may cause an excessive immune response. Macrophages appear to play a critical role in regulating the immune response to corneal infections with F. solani.
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Jianzhang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Yingfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Shikun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Chenhuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Jingjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Yanling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China.
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: The Eye Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Eye Institute, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou 350005, China. Electronic address: fjmuxuguoxing@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Guoxing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D060585:Fusariosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007634:Keratitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012313:RNA
keywords: Cytokines; Immune response; Keratomycosis; Lymphocytes; Macrophage