Circulating cornea specific antibodies and keratoplasty

The presence of corneal antibodies in blood sera was investigated in 130 patients by immunoblotting analysis. Sera were obtained from patients before the first keratoplasty, repeated corneal transplantation or keratoplasty of the other eye. Baseline levels of antibodies in 15 healthy blood donors served to establish a positivity threshold. Patients were divided according to diagnosis and number of keratoplasties. Corneal antigens were prepared from donor corneas not suitable for surgery. Hyperimmune sera obtained by immunization of rabbits were used as positive controls. Significant increase in corneal antibodies specific to epithelial antigens was found in patients (62.5% positive) with keratitis of microbial origin. The presence of circulating antibodies to endothelial or stromal proteins was without significant changes. Depending on the number of keratoplasties no statistical difference in corneal antibodies production was observed. The group of patients with increased anti-corneal antibodies already before transplantation had to take immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory therapy after keratoplasty.