The focus of this project is to investigate resident corneal cell interaction with the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10. Studies will be carried out with cultured human and murine corneal epithelial cells and fibroblasts. RT- PCR analysis will be used to determine precisely which resident corneal cells express IL-10 receptor mRNA. Flow cytometry and immunohistology will be used to search for the protein product on the different corneal cell types. The consequences of IL-10 binding to its receptor on corneal cells will be analyzed from the perspective of determining whether ligand binding leads to suppressed cytokine/chemokine mRNA and/or protein synthesis. Prior RT-PCR and ELISA studies in our laboratory have shown that IL-10 suppresses IL-6 mRNA and protein synthesis. The applicant hypothesizes that IL-10 inhibits cytokine synthesis at the level of gene transcription or interferes with mRNA stability. Preliminary data indicate that human and mouse corneas possess mRNA for IL-10. The applicant will test whether resident corneal cells make IL-10 protein. Positive results would suggest that IL-10 may function as an autoregulatory factor for resident corneal cells. The basic information generated by these studies may prove useful for devising new approaches to control ocular inflammation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY011493-04
Application #
2888518
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-VISC (01))
Project Start
1996-08-01
Project End
2001-07-31
Budget Start
1999-08-01
Budget End
2000-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Alabama
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Mobile
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
36688
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