High-risk corneal allografts are capable of stimulating complement dependent cytolytic antibodies

Purpose. To prospectively characterize serum antibody responses in high-ris k corneal allografts. Methods. Orthotopic and heterotopic C3H (H-2(k)) corn eas were transplanted to CB6F1 (H-2(b/d)) recipient mice. Individual serum samples were collected at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 from orthotopically and he terotopically grafted mice. Samples were tested for anti-C3H antibodies usi ng an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples were also te sted for the ability to lyse target cells in the presence of complement. Re sults. In high-risk donor-host combinations, 100% corneal allograft rejecti on occurs in the absence of Igc, production. Both orthotopic and heterotopi c corneal allografts induced cytolytic complement fixing antibody isotypes. Conclusions. Allospecific corneal antibody may be involved in corneal graf t rejection in high-risk donor-host combinations.