The role of LOX-1 on innate immunity against Aspergillus keratitis in mice

AIM:To explore the effects of lectin-like ox-LDL receptor(LOX-1) on innate immunity against Aspergillus fumigatus(A.fumigatus) in mice cornea.METHODS:The mRNA levels of LOX-1 were tested in normal and A.fumigatus infected corneas of C57BL/6and BALB/c mice.The expression of LOX-1,pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,CXCL1 and IL-6,antiinflammatory cytokines IL-10,and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9) were tested with treatment with LOX-1 neutralizing antibody or control IgG in A.fum/gatus infected corneas of C57BL/6.Macrophages and neutrophils were extracted from susceptible C57BL/6mice,and pretreated with LOX-1 neutralizing antibody or IgG,then stimulated with A.fum/gatus.The mRNA levels of LOX-1,TNF-α,CXCL1,IL-6,IL-10 and MMP9 were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS:The expression of LOX-1 was significantly increased in C57BL/6 mice corneas after A.fum/gatus infection compared with BABL/c mice.After treatment with LOX-1 neutralizing antibody,the expression of LOX-1,TNF-α,CXCL1,IL-6,MMP9 and IL-10 in C57BL/6corneas were significantly decreased compared with treatment with control IgG;the expression of LOX-1,CXCL1,IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly decreased in macrophages,while TNF-α and MMP9 expressions had no change;LOX-1,TNF-α,CXCL1,IL-6,MMP9 and IL-10 expressions were significantly decreased in neutrophils.CONCLUSION:The expression of LOX-1 can affect the expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in fungal infected corneas,macrophages and neutrophils of C57BL/6.LOX-1 inhibition rebalances the inflammatory response of fungal keratitis in mice.