Immune Response and Mechanisms of IFN-γ in Administration for Keratomycosis

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the immune response and mechanisms of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in the fungal keratitis in mice.

Methods: Mice were divided into two groups: group A, topical PBS four times daily post-infection; group B: topical IFN-γ four times daily post-infection. At1, 3, 5, and 7 days, the corneal lesions and inflammatory responses were observed by slit lamp, and immunofluorescence staining was performed to evaluate F4/80+ and CD4+ cells. Using ELISA, and RT–PCR to detect the expression levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IFN-γ.

Results: The treatment with IFN-γ decreased clinical scores and expression levels of IL-4, increased expression of F4/80+ and CD4+ cells, whereas IL-12, MIF, and MIP-2 were expressed highly, and the peaks of IL-10 and IFN-γ move forward.

Conclusion: This experiment showed that IFN-γ eye drops increase the accumulation of macrophages and shorten the duration of fungal keratitis.

Keywords:

• IFN-γ
• immune response
• keratomycosis
• mechanisms
• treatment

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no other conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing, China [Grant no.: 81270976], Fujian Province Medical Project for Middle-aged and Young Talents (BC), Fuzhou, China [Grant no.: 2015-ZQN-ZD-20]. Young scholar Training Foundation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China [Grant no.: JGG201304]