Studies on the Cytotoxic Immune Reaction

[摘要] Duck anti-rabbit cornea serum, which is cytotoxic to corneal epithelial or endothelial cells cultured in vitro , was found not to react with normal rabbit corneal tissue in vivo . No pathologic effects were observed after injecting such antiserum into the anterior chamber or intrastromally, or after repeated topical application to the corneal epithelium. Rabbit corneal tissues regenerating after injury were susceptible to damage by the anti-cornea serum. Corneal clouding developed after the antiserum was injected into the anterior chambers of eyes whose corneas had previously been injured by trauma or cold. In addition to pathologic changes in the endothelium, similar changes occurred in the epithelium after topical application of the antiserum. With the passage of time, the inflammatory response in the cornea gradually decreased in intensity, and the cornea became refractory to damage by antibody about 15 days after injury. The difference in the susceptibility to antibodies of regenerating as compared to normal tissue appears to be related to a difference in their cell membranes, which results in the accessibility of some antigens to cytotoxic antibodies during the active period of proliferation.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）