KC production in the cornea in response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge

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.