The role of Fas ligand as an effector molecule in corneal graft rejection.

Previous studies have shown that the expression of Fas ligand (FasL; CD95L) by donor corneas is critical to their survival when placed on allogeneic recipients. Since there have been reports that the cornea expresses Fas, we tested the idea that FasL on lymphoid cells could be an effector molecule during rejection episodes. When FasL defective BALB/c-gld mice were engrafted with allogeneic corneas, significantly more of these corneas were accepted than by normal BALB/c mice.

Effect of metalloprotease inhibitors on corneal allograft survival.

Purpose: The expression of Fas ligand (FasL) in the cornea is essential for corneal allograft acceptance in mice. Because the expression of FasL on the surface of cells is sensitive to cleavage with matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), this study examined whether inhibitors of MMPs would lead to increased FasL expression and improved corneal allograft survival.

Methods: Corneal endothelia derived from mice and humans were treated with MMP inhibitors, and FasL expression was examined.

FasL-Fas interactions regulate neovascularization in the cornea.

Purpose: Neovascularization of the avascular cornea is a significant problem associated with many corneal diseases. Because Fas ligand (FasL) is highly expressed in the cornea, the role of this molecule in controlling corneal neovascularization was examined in this study.

Methods: C57BL/6(B6), FasL (CD95L)-deficient B6-gld, and Fas (CD95)-deficient B6-lpr mice were subjected to the suture model of neovascularization.