Objective:To evaluate the probability and efficacy of endostatin-vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) recombinant adenoviruses combined with dexamethasone on suppressing heterolamellar corneal transplantation rejection. Methods: Heterolamellar corneal transplantation models were established in 64 New Zealand rabbits, which were randomized into 4 groups of 16 rabbits each. After the transplantation, all the 64 right eyes were injected subconjunctively with 0. 2 ml saline (saline group), 0. 1 ml AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 plus 0. 1 ml saline (AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 group), 0. 1 ml Dexamethasone (DXM) plus 0. 1 ml saline (DXM group), 0. 1 ml AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 plus 0. 1 ml DXM (Ad-CA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group) with one time each 3 days for 10 times. Graft survival and ocular surface were observed for 6 weeks. The fusion protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry 6 weeks after transplantation. Results: Both the CNV index, rejection index and the xenograft rejection rate in the AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group were statistically lower than those in other groups. AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM group: 1. 375 0±0. 500 0, 2. 750 0 ±1. 843 9 and 6. 25% respectively 6 week after keratoplasty; Saline group: 3. 437 5±0. 512 3, 8. 812 5± 1.1087, 100.00%; AdCAl3-hENDO-VEGI151 group: 2. 312 5±0. 478 7, 5. 625 0±0. 957 4, 62.50%; DXM group: 3. 000 0±0. 816 5, 5. 562 5±1. 315 0, 56.25% (P<0. 01). Immunohistochemical staining showed the fusion protein expressed mainly in corneal epithelium. Conclusion: The fusion protein expressed by the recombinant adenovirus has significant effect on inhibiting neovascularization after heterolamellar corneal transplantation. The topical application of AdCA13-hENDO-VEGI151 combined with DXM suppressed effectively the postoperative xenograft rejection rate of heterolamellar corneal transplantation.
