Changes in aqueous immunoglobulin and albumin levels following penetrating keratoplasty

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 122 - 131
• Main Authors: LOPATIN, D. E, VAN POPERIN, N, MACCALLUM, D. K, MEYER, R. F, LILLIE, J. H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rockville, MD Association for Research in Vision and Ophtalmology 1989
• Subjects: Animals; Aqueous Humor - immunology; Aqueous Humor - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Cats; Corneal Transplantation; Graft Rejection; Immunoglobulins - metabolism; Medical sciences; Reference Values; Serum Albumin - metabolism; Skin Transplantation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Fissipedia; Immunopathology; Carnivora; Cornea; Immunoglobulins; Albumin; Homograft; Aqueous humor; Penetrating graft; Immunological method; Rejection; Vertebrata; Eye disease; Mammalia; Surgery; Cat; Graft; ELISA assay
• ISSN: 0146-0404; 1552-5783

The feline model of induced rejection of corneal allografts was employed to define the changes in the concentrations of immunoglobulins and albumin in the anterior chamber prior to, and concomitant with the rejection of the transplanted cornea. Fourteen animals received unilateral exchange corneal allografts. Aqueous humor obtained by anterior chamber paracentesis at regular intervals prior to and following the performance of the penetrating keratoplasties was analyzed for IgG, IgM and albumin concentrations using the micro enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Two patterns of anterior chamber protein modulation were observed. Eight of the animals demonstrated a biphasic pattern in which both immunoglobulin and albumin concentrations were elevated two- to five-fold above presurgical values 14 days postkeratoplasty, returning to preoperative values by day 42. Three to 5 weeks after corneal rejection was induced increases in protein concentrations were observed that correlated with the appearance of clinical signs of rejection. A second, monophasic pattern of anterior chamber protein modulation following keratoplasty was observed in four of the animals. It was distinguishable from the biphasic pattern in that levels did not return to baseline values after the initial rise following keratoplasty until the rejection process was completed. The monophasic response was found to be characteristic of more rapid and vigorous corneal rejection. Examination of albumin to immunoglobulin ratios suggested that all changes in protein levels following keratoplasty were a result of increased influx of serum proteins into the anterior chamber, rather than due to local immunoglobulin synthesis.