The mechanisms of corneal graft failure in the rat

Abstract

The success rate of corneal transplantation is very similar to that of other organ transplantations because corneal transplants can induce an allograft rejection similar to other organ transplants. Only the centre of the cornea can be considered an immunologically privileged site. The reasons for this are considered in this review of experimental corneal grafting which has led to an understanding the immunological mechanisms behind corneal graft rejection. The topics discussed include the role of antigen presenting cells (APCs) in experimental corneal graft rejection and their distribution in the cornea.