Graft survival and cytokine production profile after limbal transplantation in the experimental mouse model
2011
Abstract
A new model of orthotopic limbal transplantation was established in the mouse. The survival of limbal autografts, allografts and xenografts was characterized according to the clinical criteria, and intragraft cytokine response was determined by a real-time PCR.
The results showed that the limbal grafts do not enjoy immune privilege of the eye and are promptly rejected by Th1 or combined Th1 and Th2 type of immune response involving CD4 pozitive cells and iNOS expression. Targeting this pathway may be an effective way to prevent and treat limbal graft rejection.