Corneal allograft rejection. The role of the major histocompatibility complex.

The greater success of corneal transplantation compared to other organ transplants has led to the concept that the cornea is a site of "immunological privilege." Corneal cells possess the antigens of the major histocompatibility complex responsible for allograft rejection in other tissues (i.e., HLA antigens). The avascularity of the cornea accounts for the relative protection of the donor cornea from the immunological surveillance of the recipient. As the roles and functions of the major histocompatibility complex are unravelled, the mechanisms responsible for host sensitization, lymphocyte activation and allograft rejection are becoming better understood. In particular, the HLA-DR antigen in humans is believed to play an integral part in allograft rejection. Langerhans cells in human corneal epithelium have been shown to bear this antigen. Evidence suggests that these cells or similar HLA-DR-bearing cells in the cornea play a major role in corneal allograft rejection. In light of these advances in transplantation immunobiology, new methods of suppressing and possibly preventing allograft rejection in corneal transplantation are presented.