We propose to study acute inflammation in the cornea, with specific emphasis on the responses of the tissue to a variety of noxious stimuli and on the alteration of these responses by various therapeutic modalites. Viable polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) will be isolated from the inflamed cornea and their morphologic, metabolic, and functional properties will be characterized. The role of these cells in host defense and their contribution to corneal damage will be evaluated. Elastase levels in PMNs derived from the inflamed cornea as well as elastase levels in the inflamed cornea itself will be measured and the corneal damage attributable to this enzyme will be assessed. The activity of the prostaglandin system in the cornea during acute inflammation will be defined. Both cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products of the arachidonic acid cascade will be evaluated and their relationship to neutrophil chemotaxis in the inflamed cornea will be assessed. In addition, the effectiveness of locally administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, given alone and in conjunction with other drugs, on the suppression of corneal inflammation will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on the mechanisms through which the various agents act, with the objective of designing an optimal therapeutic regimen for corneal inflammatory diseases and for the rejection phenomenon of corneal transplantation.
| Leibowitz, H M; Ryan Jr, W J; Kupferman, A (1992) Comparative anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical corticosteroids with low glaucoma-inducing potential. Arch Ophthalmol 110:118-20 |
| Freddo, T F; Polack, F M; Leibowitz, H M (1989) Ultrastructural changes in the posterior layers of the cornea in Schnyder's crystalline dystrophy. Cornea 8:170-7 |
| Leibowitz, H M; Ryan, W J; Kupferman, A et al. (1986) Bioavailability and corneal anti-inflammatory effect of topical suprofen. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 27:628-31 |
| Leibowitz, H M; Ryan, W J; Kupferman, A et al. (1986) Effect of concurrent topical corticosteroid and NSAID therapy of experimental keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 27:1226-9 |
| Freddo, T F; Leibowitz, H M (1985) Bilateral acute corneal calcification. Ophthalmology 92:537-42 |
| Zamansky, G B; Lee, B P; Chang, R K et al. (1985) Quantitation of herpes simplex virus in rabbit corneal epithelium. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 26:873-6 |
| Leibowitz, H M; Ryan, W; Kupferman, A et al. (1985) The effect of alcohol intoxication on inflammation of the cornea. Arch Ophthalmol 103:723-5 |
| Lee, B P; Kupferman, A; Leibowitz, H M (1985) Effect of suprofen on corneal wound healing. Arch Ophthalmol 103:95-7 |
