The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of blood vessels (hemangiogenesis) versus lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) in mediating immunological responses after transplantation. Using the murine model of corneal transplantation, graft survival was compared in differentially prevascularized and avascular recipient beds. Donor corneas (C57BL/6) were transplanted into uninflamed or inflamed avascular, prehemvascularized only or prehemvascularized and prelymphvascularized recipient murine eyes (BALB/C).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Bevacizumab eyedrops inhibit corneal neovascularization. The purpose of this study was to analyze the safety profile of VEGF-A neutralization at the ocular surface.
Methods: Bevacizumab eyedrops (5 mg/mL) and an antimurine VEGF-A antibody (250 microg/mL) were applied to normal murine corneas five times a day for 7 and 14 days.
Purpose: To analyze whether tyrosine kinase inhibitors blocking VEGF receptors (PTK787/ZK222584 [PTK/ZK] and ZK261991 [ZK991]) can inhibit not only hemangiogenesis but also lymphangiogenesis and whether treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors after corneal transplantation can improve graft survival.
Methods: Inflammatory corneal neovascularization was induced by corneal suture placement. One treatment group received PTK/ZK, and the other treatment group received ZK991.
Purpose: First report of a patient with Borrelia-associated crystalline keratopathy with intracorneal evidence of Borrelia garinii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electron microscopy (EM).
Methods: Report of a 67-year-old patient with medical history of recurrent iridocyclitis and arthritis presented with a bilateral, progressive, asymmetric crystalline keratopathy, which was particularly pronounced in the peripheral temporal superior cornea. After penetrating keratoplasty, crystalline keratopathy with stromal haziness recurred.
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol
January 2008
Purpose: Inflammatory corneal hem- and lymphangiogenesis occurring both prior to as well as after penetrating keratoplasty significantly increase the risk for subsequent immune rejections. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the blocking anti-VEGFR3 antibody mF4-31C1 is able to inhibit the outgrowth of pathologic new lymphatic vessels in a mouse model of suture-induced, inflammatory corneal neovascularisation, and whether this antibody specifically inhibits lymphangiogenesis without affecting hemangiogenesis.
Methods: Three interrupted 11-0 nylon sutures were placed into the corneal stroma of BALB/c mice (6 weeks old) and left in place for 7 days to induce neovascularisation.
The interaction between endothelial cells and extracellular matrix proteins plays an important role in (hem)angiogenesis. Integrins are able to mediate the outgrowth of newly formed blood vessels. In contrast, the role of integrins in lymphangiogenesis, ie, the outgrowth of new from pre-existing lymphatic vessels, has so far been unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To analyze whether bevacizumab can inhibit inflammatory angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in the cornea. Bevacizumab (Avastin; Roche, Welwyn Garden City, UK) is a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal antibody against VEGF-A that has been approved by the U.S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Purpose: Since the introduction of the triple procedure (simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty [PK], extracapsular cataract extraction [CE] and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens [PCIOL]) in the mid-seventies, there is an ongoing discussion among corneal surgeons concerning the best approach for combined corneal disease and cataract.
Methods: Besides the classical triple procedure (1), two alternative microsurgical approaches are feasible: (2) CE + PCIOL prior to PK and (3) CE + PCIOL after PK. For the refractive results after TRIPLE some intraoperative details are crucial: Trephination of recipient and donor from the epithelial side without major oversize (Guided Trephine System or Nonmechanical Excimer Laser Trephination) should preserve the preoperative corneal curvature.
Purpose: To evaluate the prognosis and complications of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for corneal decompensation in eyes with buphthalmos and to analyze the risk factors for graft failure.
Patients And Methods: Clinical records of 13 adult and three pediatric patients who underwent PKP for endothelial decompensation with a previous diagnosis of congenital glaucoma of a total of 3,663 corneal transplantations performed in our department between January 1987 and December 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. During the study period, a total of 33 PKPs was performed in 20 eyes with buphthalmos.