Interleukin-1 alpha production in human corneal scars

We studied IL-1 alpha level in corneal scars with/without neo-vascularization. A total of 27 patients underwent grafting for corneal scar. Recipients were grouped according to number of vascularized quadrants (0 to IV/IV): none (n=12), one (n=5), two (n=4) and four (n=6). Recipient corneas were collected during surgery and IL-1a measured by immunoassay. Controls were donor corneas unsuitable for transplantation. Graft rejection rate was calculated for each group. Mean IL-1 alpha concentration in corneal scars was 6 +/- 3.93 pg/mm(3); significantly higher as compared to controls (1.25 +/- 2.03pg/mm(3)). IL-1 alpha correlated well with amount of blood vessels, except in IVII-Vscars: 5.17 +/- 3.65pg/mm(3) for 0/IV; 8.02 +/- 2.51 pg/mm(3) for I/IV; 8.27 +/- 3.62 pg/mm(3) for II/IV and 4.47 +/- 5.03 pg/mm(3) for IV/IV corneal scars. Vascularization of corneal scar is associated with increased IL-1a level (in all but highly vascularized scars), indicating that IL-1 alpha promotes early stages of vascularization. Graft rejection rate increases inpatients with higher vascularization, independently of IL-1a level.