Abstract:

Objective To explore the immunological mechanism of neuroprotection function of Copolymer 1 (Cop 1) in rat chronic elevated intraocular pressure model. Methods Elevated intraocular pressure model of both eyes were established in 27 rats by cauterization of episcleral veins. Three weeks after elevation of intraocular pressure, 12 rats were immunized by intracutaneous injection of mixture of Cop 1 (100 μg) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant （CFA）at two hind footpads (experiment group), another 12 rats were injected with the same volume of PBS emulsified in CFA (control group), and the other 3 rats received no treatment (blank control group). One week later, lymphocytes from spleen were isolated, T cell subset was detected by flow cytometry, cytokine secretion of T cells was determined by ELISA, and the proliferation of lymphocytes was examined by [3H]thymidine labeling. Results CD4+CD25+Treg/CD4+ in experiment group was significantly higher than those in control group and blank control group (P<0.05). The quantity and concentration of IL-10 secretion in experiment group were significantly higher than those in control group and blank control group （P<0.05）, while there was no significant difference in the quantity and concentration of INF-γ secretion among groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in in vitro proliferation index of lymphocytes among three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Cop 1 promotes transfer of CD4+CD25－ to CD4+CD25+Treg, development of Th1 to Th2 and production of IL-10.

Key words: Copolymer 1, elevated intraocular pressure, neuroprotection, immunology