LOCAL USE OF IL-1RA IN CORNEAL TRANSPLANT REJECTION OR DISORDERS OF THE EYE

摘要

Topical application of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is shown to promote corneal transplant survival in a murine model of orthotopic allotransplantation, having a significant effect in prolonging graft survival in both high-risk and normal (low-risk) stromal beds. Furthermore, the promotion of graft survival is associated with a significant decrease in corneal inflammation. Therefore, IL-1ra and related antagonists to interleukin-1 can be used in a therapeutic composition for topical prophylaxis and treatment of allograft rejection and for local treatment of a wide array of immunogenic inflammatory diseases of the eye. The composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of IL-1ra in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier vehicle for topical application.