The Effect of Candida albicans and Dexamethasone on the Secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha from Cultured Human Keratocytes.

Bay, Seung Whan; Jang, Young Sik; Hahn, Young Ho

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2002;43(10):2010-2016.
Published online October 1, 2002.

The Effect of Candida albicans and Dexamethasone on the Secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha from Cultured Human Keratocytes.

Seung Whan Bay, Young Sik Jang, Young Ho Hahn

Department of Ophthalmology, Gospel Hospital, Kosin University, Korea. young@ns.kosinmed

배양된 인체 각막간질세포에 Candida albicans 와 Dexamethasone 투여시 Tumor Necrosis Factor-α 의 분비

배성환 ( Seung Whan Bay ) , 장영식 ( Young Sik Jang ) , 한영호 ( Young Ho Hahn )

Abstract

PURPOSE
To measure the secretion of TNF-alpha from cultured human keratocytes after inoculation of Candida albicans, and to evaluate the change of secretion of TNF-alpha following application of dexamethasone. METHODS: Human corneal keratocytes were cultured independently in vitro. The specimens were divided into 4 groups: Group I with only pure culture as control, Group II with C. albicans, Group III with C. albicans and dexamethasone, and Group IV with only dexamethasone. RESULTS: As a whole, Group II showed the highest secretion of TNF-alpha, followed by Group III, Group I, and Group IV respectively (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Keratocytes with the addition of both C. albicans and dexamethasone, secreted much lower level of TNF-alpha , but showed more proliferation in comparison to keratocytes with addition of C. albicans alone. Therefore, the author may conclude that in fungal keratitis, the early administration of dexamethasone may be beneficial in reducing inflammatory responses induced by increased TNF-alpha secretion. However, because steroids may stimulate the proliferation of fungus leading to tissue damages, more cautious use might be needed.

Key Words: Candida albicans;Dexamethasone;Keratocytes;TNF-alpha