Fate of orthotopic corneal allografts in eyes that cannot support anterior chamber-associated immune deviation induction.

Abstract

These results indicate that eyes rendered high risk by virtue of corneal neovascularization fail to provide immune privilege for orthotopic corneal allografts. In this circumstance, the grafts rapidly induce intense donor-specific DH that is readily detectable within 2 weeks of engraftment, at which time the grafts are acutely and universally rejected. The recipient DH response is directed exclusively at minor H antigens on the graft, which is consistent with the view that neovascularization creates graft beds in which recipient antigen-presenting cells infiltrate the graft and carry antigenic information by lymphatics to draining lymph nodes. In this manner, anterior chamber-associated immune deviation is avoided, and potentially allodestructive DH is promoted.