Effect of local corticosteroids on antibody-forming cells in the eye and draining lymph nodes.

Significant numbers of antibody-forming cells (AFC) have been found in the cornea, uveal tract, and draining lymph nodes after the intracorneal injection of bovine gamma-globulin (BGG). To study the effect of locally administered corticosteroids on these antibody-forming tissues, we made unilateral intracorneal injections of rabbit eyes with BGG. These we followed immediately with subconjunctival injections of 10 mg. of triamcinolone suspension, and then with a second round of 10 mg. injections seven days later. A control group of animals received the BGG injections followed by two subconjunctival saline injections. We killed the animals on postinjection days 6, 9, 12, 15, and 21, and tested the draining lymph nodes, homolateral uveal tissue, and homolateral cornea for AFC by a modification of the Jerne placque technique. The local steroids had no effect on the number of AFC produced in the draining lymph nodes or on the circulating antibody response, but they reduced the number of AFC in the homolateral uveal tracts and corneas. Clinically there was less inflammatory response in the steroid-treated eyes than in the control eyes. The possible mechanisms by which corticosteroids achieve their anti-immunologic and anti-inflammatory benefits are discussed.