Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause ulcerative bacterial keratitis. A feature
of keratitis is the rapid infiltration of the avascular corneal stroma by n
eutrophils. KC is a potent neutrophil chemokine. The present study used a m
ouse model of ocular infection to assess the relationship between KC and in
flammation in the cornea in response to challenge with a strain of P. aerug
inosa causing keratitis. Low levels of KC mRNA acid protein were detected b
y in situ hybridization and ELISA, respectively, in unchallenged corneas. D
ramatically increased numbers of KC mRNA(+) cells were present in P. aerugi
nosa strain 6294-challenged corneas. Expression of KC mRNA was found to be
up-regulated in the corneal epithelium in response to wounding alone. The K
C mRNA(+) cells were located in the epithelium and corresponding to infiltr
ating neutrophils cells in the stroma. Quantification of KC protein at diff
erent time points showed peak levels at 8 h of bacterial challenge. These r
esults suggest that KC may be involved with the regulation of leucocyte inf
iltration early during bacterial keratitis.