Experimental Study Of Macrophages Activation In Prevention And Treatment Of Keratomycosis

Objective To investigate the role of macrophages in keratomycosis and detect the expression of Th1 and Th2 type cotokines in a mouse model of Fusarium solani keratitis,Methods A mouse model of Fusarium solani keratitis was established by epikeratophakia.Macrophage elimination was achieved by intracorneal instillation of latex beads in BALB/c mice with Fusarium solani keratitis, respectively,Controls received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS-LIP) instead. On day 1,3,5,7 after inoculation, the appearance of corneal ulcer was observed by slitlamp and infected corneas were subjected to histopathological analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the efficiency of macrophage activition. The cytokine production of Th1 cells, expressed by IL-12, and of Th2 cells, expressed by IL-4 , in corneas was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cytokine mRNA levels were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results Histopathologically, more severe keratomycosis developed in the mice treated with Latex Beads than those treated with PBS 5 and 7 days after inoculation. In the Latex Beads-treated group, more expression of macrophages could be detected in the conjunctiva and cornea.,there was a marked increase of Th1 and Th2 cytokine production and mRNA expressionConclusions Local activation of macrophages may upregulate the immune response and aggravate fungal keratitis. Macrophages appear to play an important role in host defense against corneal infection of F. solani.