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Secretory Leukoprotease Inhibitor: A Native Antimicrobial Protein in the Innate Immune Response in a Rat Model of S. aureus Keratitis
Purpose. To describe the presence of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a
cationic peptide with antimicrobial and antiprotease activity in the innate immune
reaction in a rat model of Staphylococcus aureus keratitis.
Methods. Forty female Lewis rats were divided into 2 groups: the infectious keratitis and
the epithelial defect groups. Eyes were processed for immunohistochemical studies for
SLPI, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and matrix
metalloproteinase-8.
Results. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed high levels of SLPI, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α,
and MMP-8 expression in eyes with S. aureus keratitis and with epithelial defects, in
contrast to undetectable SLPI expression in the normal control corneas.
Conclusions. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to demonstrate the presence of
SLPI with increased amounts of proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed and infected
corneas