Secretory Leukoprotease Inhibitor: A Native Antimicrobial Protein in the Innate Immune Response in a Rat Model of S. aureus Keratitis

摘要

Purpose. To describe the presence of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), acationic peptide with antimicrobial and antiprotease activity in the innate immunereaction in a rat model of Staphylococcus aureus keratitis. Methods. Forty female Lewis rats were divided into 2 groups: the infectious keratitis andthe epithelial defect groups. Eyes were processed for immunohistochemical studies forSLPI, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrixmetalloproteinase-8. Results. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed high levels of SLPI, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α,and MMP-8 expression in eyes with S. aureus keratitis and with epithelial defects, incontrast to undetectable SLPI expression in the normal control corneas. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to demonstrate the presence ofSLPI with increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed and infectedcorneas.