Role of Immune Cell Diversity and Heterogeneity in Corneal Graft Survival: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Corneal transplantation is one of the most successful forms of solid organ transplantation; however, immune rejection is still a major cause of corneal graft failure. Both innate and adaptive immunity play a significant role in allograft tolerance. Therefore, immune cells, cytokines, and signal-transduction pathways are critical therapeutic targets. In this analysis, we aimed to review the current literature on various immunotherapeutic approaches for corneal-allograft rejection using the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Retrievable data for meta-analysis were screened and assessed. The review, which evaluated multiple immunotherapeutic approaches to prevent corneal allograft rejection, showed extensive involvement of innate and adaptive immunity components. Understanding the contribution of this immune diversity to the ocular surface is critical for ensuring corneal allograft survival.

Characteristics and Clinical Ocular Manifestations in Patients with Acute Corneal Graft Rejection after Receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine: A Systematic Review

“…Regardless of the vaccine type, vaccination significantly increased anti-spike-neutralizing antibodies, antigen-specific CD4 + T-cell responses, and inflammatory cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin-2 [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. IFN-γ plays a central role in the acute rejection process [ 63 ], and the resultant T helper type 1–dominant immune response may have evoked corneal allograft rejection in the vaccinated individuals [ 63 ].…”

Anti-CD80/86 antibodies inhibit inflammatory reaction and improve graft survival in a high-risk murine corneal transplantation rejection model

“…Therefore, the corneal transplantations performed on existing corneal neovascularization and lymphatic vessels bed have been recognized to have a higher inclination to rejection 7 – 9 . It is known that this immune sensitization process involves major histocompatibility complex allorecognition and costimulatory pathway by the interaction between activated T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) 10 , 11 .…”

Changing Medical Paradigm on Inflammatory Eye Disease: Technology and Its Implications for P4 Medicine

“…In the context of any inflammatory disease pathogenesis, a disease rarely develops as a dichotomy of present or absent disease state. Instead, it presents as a disease spectrum with various factors, leading to phenotypes that ranges from subclinical to severe stages [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. DED is a highly multifactorial disease, characterized by three major categories of risk factors: environmental, lifestyle, and host factors [ 21 , 24 , 25 ].…”