Immunology of herpes simplex keratitis and its treatment by corneal transplantation

Purpose: To investigate the immune responses in cornea, ocular draining lymph nodes and spleen as well as the priming site of HSV-specific lymphocytes and their possible role in HSK development. To explore the possible treatment of HSK by transplanting corneal allograft and collagen artificial cornea. Methods: BALB/c mice corneas were infected with RE strain HSV-1. Immunohistochemistry of eye sections was performed and flow cytometry was carried out for cell suspension of cornea, TG, submandibular ocular draining lymph node (SMDLN),a non-ocular related lymph node and spleen at various times post HSV-1 eye inoculation. Results: There were strong immune responses in ocular draining lymph nodes post HSV-1 ocular infection, with a significant increasing number of innate cells as well as B cells and T cells. These changes were not observed in non-ocular related lymph nodes or spleen. An antigen specific response to HSV-1 antigen stimulation was observed in vitro for crude cells from ocular draining lymph node and to a lesser extent for spleen, but no changes were observed for the cells from non-ocular related lymph node. Interestingly, removal of ocular draining lymph nodes or spleen prior to HSV inoculation did not prevent HSK, but adversely impaired the control of viral replication, which was indicated by severe blepharitis and encephalitis. Both corneal allograft and collagen artificial cornea failed to survive in HSK eye, and retro-corneal membrane and degradation were the main obstacles for artificial cornea. Conclusions: HSV-specific lymphocytes are primed mainly in ocular draining lymph nodes, however, these cells might not be necessarily required for HSK development. Prevention of retro-corneal membrane seems to be important for survival of both corneal allograft and artificial cornea in HSK eyes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo