Defective corneal healing in excimer laser wounded il-1 receptor deficient mice

M. C. Kennedy, L. F. Rich, S. R. Planck, J. C. Ansel, J. T. Rosenbaum

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose. To determine whether the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays an important role in the process of corneal wound healing. We examined corneal wound repair in mice which lack a functional interleukin-1 type 1 receptor (IL-1R1-/-) and are therefore unable to respond to IL-1. Methods. IL-1R1-/- mice were photoablated in the central cornea (1 mm diameter, mid-stromal depth) using a Summit Apex excimer laser. Corneal wound healing in receptor-deficient mice (N of 40) was compared to identically wounded groups of congenic control mice (N of 30). After predetermined healing times of 1, 3, 7, or 14 days, animals were sacrificed and eyes were photographed, enucleated, and prepared for histologie examination. Results. Epithelial closure of the excimer laser wound was completed by Day 1 in both IL-1R1-/- and control mice. However on Day 3 post wounding, stromal thicknesses in the wound area were thinner in IL-1R1 ' mice, than in controls, and remained so through Day 14. Day 7 controls had a normal stratified epithelial structure while the IL-1R1-/- mice showed a poorly defined basal layer and undifferentiated cells in the upper epithelial layers. Normal corneal topography was not restored by Day 14 in IL-1R1-/- mice with the wound surface remaining flattened or convex. Conclusions. The loss of IL-1 signaling causes a defect in comeal wound healing. The IL-1R1-/- mice appear to have a reduced ability to rebuild the ablated area of corneal stroma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S504
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume38
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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