We investigated the efficiency of activated polyamidoamine maximal after transfection with 18:1 (w/w) activated dendrimers, a new class of nonviral vectors, to transfect dendrimer:plasmid DNA ratio and culture for 3 days. The rabbit and human corneas in ex vivo culture. In addition to supernatant of corneas transfected with TNFR-Ig plasmid assessing the expression of a marker gene we have demcontained TNFR-Ig protein which was able to inhibit TNFonstrated that this approach can be used to induce the promediated cytotoxicity in a bioassay. We have therefore duction of TNF receptor fusion protein (TNFR-Ig), a protein shown that activated dendrimers are an efficient nonviral with therapeutic potential. Whole thickness rabbit or human vector capable of transducing corneal endothelial cells ex corneas were transfected ex vivo with complexes convivo. They may have applications in gene-based sisting of dendrimers and plasmids containing lacZ or approaches aimed at prevention of corneal allograft TNFR-Ig genes. Following optimisation 6-10% of the correjection or in treatment of other disorders of corneal neal endothelial cells expressed the marker gene.endothelium. Expression was restricted to the endothelium and was

There is an early cytokine and chemokine response to the transplantation process, evident in syngeneic and allogeneic grafts, that probably drives angiogenesis, leukocyte recruitment, and affects leukocyte functions. After an immune response has been generated, allogeneic rejection results in the expression of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-12 p40, IFN-gamma), Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13), and antiinflammatory/Th3 cytokines (TGF-beta1/2 and IL-1RA).

Patients with clinically isolated single cranial nerve palsies associated with diabetes or hypertension are likely to recover spontaneously within 5 months and initially require observation only. However, patients with unexplained binocular diplopia and those who progress or fail to recover should be investigated to establish the underlying aetiology and managed as appropriate.

To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal (IV) triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for treating pediatric cystoid macular edema (CME) secondary to noninfectious uveitis. Methods: A retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. The medical records of 15 consecutive children (16 eyes) with uveitic CME treated with IVTA (2 or 4 mg) were reviewed. Data collected included details of uveitis, CME, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and cataract development. The median follow-up time was 16 months (range, 9-36 months). Results: Resolution of CME was achieved in all of the treated eyes. The median time taken for CME to resolve was 3 weeks (range, 1-24 weeks). The mean improvement of visual acuity after IVTA was 0.6 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. Following initial response to IVTA, CME relapsed in 5 eyes (31%) after a median time of 7 months (range, 3-13 months). The most common adverse effect was increased intraocular pressure, with an increase of more than 15 mm Hg in 5 eyes (31%). Steroid-induced cataract was observed in 6 of 11 phakic eyes (55%). Conclusions: We found that IVTA is efficacious in the treatment of uveitic CME in children and results in CME resolution and visual acuity improvement. As in adults, treatment in children may be associated with elevated intraocular pressure and cataract.

Gene transfer to the corneal endothelium has potential for modulating rejection of corneal grafts. It can also serve as a convenient and useful model for gene therapy of other organs. In this article we review the work carried out in our laboratory using both viral and nonviral vectors to obtain gene expression in the cornea.