AIM: To observe the effect of IL-10 modified immature dendritic cells(imDC)for providing theoretical and practical basis for anti-rejection of corneal transplantation.

METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were used as donors and 36 SD rats were used ad recipients. The recipient was injected by tail with donor IL-10-treated imDC or with untreated imDC. The rats were randomly assigned to three groups, 12 in control group received nopretreatment, 12 in imDC group were injected with imDC(2×10⁶)3d before surgery, and 12 in IL-10-imDC group were injected with IL-10-imDC(2×10⁶)3d before surgery. The survival time of corneal allografts in three groups were observed. The expression of NF-κB was detected by histopathological examination 14d postoperative.

RESULTS: The mean survival time was merely 10.17±2.16d, 19.83±2.25d and 27.57±1.72d respectively in control, imDC and IL-10-imDC groups. There was significantly difference among three groups(P<0.01). Corneas in groups B and C had fewer infiltrating cells, corneal thickness almost normal, and stroma arrangement in order, the center of the grafts showed no inflammatory cellular infiltration. NF-κB cells strongly expressed in control group(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between groups B and C(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: IL-10 can restrained DC from mature. Derivatives from donor imDC can markedly prolong the survival time of corneal allografts. NF-κB may play a potential role in the development of corneal graft rejection.