Cutting edge: atopy promotes Th2 responses to alloantigens and increases the incidence and tempo of corneal allograft rejection

J Immunol. 2005 Jun 1;174(11):6577-81. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.11.6577.

Abstract

A large body of evidence suggests that corneal allograft rejection is mediated by a type 1 Th cell response and that deviation toward type 2 immunity favors graft survival. However, clinical observations indicate that patients with severe ocular allergies have increased risk of corneal allograft rejection. We used a mouse model of atopic conjunctivitis to evaluate the effects of Th2 immune deviation on corneal allograft survival and possible mechanisms of graft rejection. Our results reveal the following novel findings: 1) atopic conjunctivitis promotes systemic Th2 immune responses to corneal graft donor alloantigens; 2) corneal allografts in atopic host eyes have an increased incidence and swifter tempo of rejection; 3) increased rejection is associated with alterations in systemic T cell-mediated responses to donor alloantigens; and 4) corneal allograft rejection in atopic hosts does not require the direct involvement of infiltrating eosinophils.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Ambrosia / immunology
  • Animals
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / epidemiology
  • Conjunctivitis, Allergic / immunology*
  • Corneal Transplantation / immunology*
  • Corneal Transplantation / pathology
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection / epidemiology
  • Graft Rejection / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / pathology
  • Graft Survival / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Incidence
  • Isoantigens / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pollen / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Isoantigens