The new malononitrilamide immunosuppressant FK778 prolongs corneal allograft survival in the rat keratoplasty model

Abstract

Purpose Aim of this study was to prove the efficacy and safety of the new malononitrilamide immunosuppressive FK778 in prolonging clear graft survival following allogeneic orthotopic keratoplasty in rats.

Accelerated corneal graft rejection in baby rats

“…Orthotopic penetrating keratoplasties were performed as described previously 8 9. Briefly, Fisher donor buttons (2.5 mm) were obtained and the animals were killed.…”

“…All grafts were daily examined by two investigators for signs of opacity according to an international score 9 10. Grafts with technical difficulties such as cataract, infection, loss of the anterior chamber or massive hyphema were excluded.…”

Hemin Promotes Corneal Allograft Survival Through the Suppression of Macrophage Recruitment and Activation

“…36,37 In the rat penetrating keratoplasty model, retaining the interrupted sutures and exposing suture nodes to induce corneal neovascularization may lead to a high probability of graft rejection. [38][39][40][41] Accordingly, this animal model possesses, to some extent, the characteristics of a high-risk transplant. Therefore, the sutures were not removed in some studies; in contrast, graft sutures were removed in other studies to mimic penetrating keratoplasty in patients.…”

Systemic immunomodulatory strategies in high-risk corneal transplantation

“…[127] In addition, antibody based therapeutic agents have been developed to modulate the rejection of vascularized organ allografts. Specific systemic treatment with intact antibody can certainly prevent or delay corneal graft rejection in experimental animals.…”