The Role of Autophagy in the Innate Immune Response to Fungal Keratitis Caused by Aspergillus fumigatus Infection

PURPOSE. To determine the role of autophagy in the innate immune response to fungal keratitis (FK) caused by Aspergillus fumigatus infection. METHODS. Corneal samples obtained from patients and mice with FK were visualized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Autophagy-related proteins LC3B-II, Beclin-1, LAMP-1, and p62 in A. fumigatus-infected corneas of C57BL/6 mice were tested by Western blot. After treatment with autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine (3-MA), chloroquine (CQ), or inducer rapamycin, autophagy-related proteins were detected by Western blot. Corneas were photographed with slit lamp microscopy and pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNs) were assessed by immunofluorescent staining and observed under TEM. The levels of CXCL-1, IL-1 beta, HMGB1, IL-18, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 were tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The quantification of fungal loads was detected and photographed. RESULTS. The accumulation of autophagosomes in corneas of patients and mice with FK was observed with TEM. The expression of LC3B-II, Beclin-1, and LAMP-1 was elevated in corneas after fungal infection, whereas p62 was reduced. Treatment with 3-MA or CQ upregulated clinical scores, pathological changes, and the expression of CXCL-1, IL-1 beta, HMGB1, IL-18, and TNF-alpha except IL-10. The morphology of PMNs was changed and PMN recruitment was increased in mice corneas treated with 3-MA or CQ, whereas rapamycin reduced the inflammatory response to keratitis. These results were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS. A. fumigatus infection increases the expression of autophagy in corneas. Autophagy plays an anti-inflammatory role in the innate immune response to A. fumigatus keratitis.