Abstract
Corneal allografts are the oldest, most common, and most successful transplants performed on humans and animals. The cornea is endowed with a constellation of unique factors that contribute to its immune privilege and the low incidence of immune rejection. In spite of this immune privilege, 10 percent of first-time corneal grafts will undergo immune rejection. Several novel therapeutic strategies hold promise for modulating the alloimmune response by either promoting antigen-specific tolerance or redirecting the host's response from a Th1 pathway toward a Th2 pathway.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Anterior Chamber / immunology
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Complement System Proteins / physiology
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Corneal Transplantation / immunology*
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Fas Ligand Protein
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Graft Rejection / prevention & control
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Graft Survival
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Humans
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Immune Tolerance
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Isoantibodies / physiology
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Langerhans Cells / immunology
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Membrane Glycoproteins / physiology
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Transplantation, Homologous
Substances
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FASLG protein, human
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Fas Ligand Protein
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Isoantibodies
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Complement System Proteins