INTRACORNEAL BOVINE ALBUMIN - AN IMMUNOLOGICAL MODEL OF CORNEAL ANGIOGENESIS

Background: We characterized the neovascularization that follows the i ntracorneal injection of bovine albumin (BA) in rabbits as a model of corneal angiogenesis. Methods: New Zealand white rabbits received intr acorneal injections of phosphate-buffered saline with and without vari ous amounts of BA. The rabbits were co-sensitized or presensitized by intramuscular BA or were not sensitized. The corneal vascular response was quantified by ranking photographs taken periodically after the in jection. Results: In pre-sensitized animals, blood vessels were appare nt within 4 days and reached maximum intensity 14 days after the intra corneal injection. Corneas also vascularized in nonsensitized rabbits, but a larger dose (>0.2 mg BA) was required than in pre-sensitized an imals (>0.02 mg BA). Vascularization began later in non-sensitized ani mals and was less extensive than in pre-sensitized animals. Conclusion : The intracorneal injection of BA is a reproducible model of corneal angiogenesis In rabbits and should allow the involved immunological me chanisms to be elucidated.