Abstract: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/6 and BALB/c mice. The expression of LOX-1, pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, CXCL1 and IL-6, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were tested with treatment with LOX-1 neutralizing antibody or control IgG in A. fumigatus infected corneas of C57BL/6. Macrophages and neutrophils were extracted from susceptible C57BL/6 mice, and pretreated with LOX-1 neutralizing antibody or IgG, then stimulated with A. fumigatus. 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. fumigatus 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/6 corneas 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.
