Immune cells (T cells, green) are seen entering the cornea of the eye, towards the herpes simplex virus-infected cells (light blu.
According to a new study from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), the cornea — the transparent protective outer layer of the eye that is critical to helping us see — generates a subtle and limited immune response that can Fight infections that damage our eyesig.
The study, published today in Cell Reports, shows that long-lived memory T cells that patrol and fight viral infection are present in the cornea, overturning the current belief that there are no T cells in healthy corneas and expanding our understanding of An understanding of the eye's immune response to infecti.
The research team used multiphoton microscopy to study corneal cells from HSV-infected mice, a microscope that provides real-time images of intact living biological tiss.
Their images showed long-term memory T cells produced in the eyes of mice to fight infecti.
Advanced imaging of healthy human eyes also showed immune cells patrolling the cornea -- the first time cells have been imaged moving in a human e.
In humans, the cornea must remain transparent to ensure that focused light passes through the iris and is received by the reti.
The presence of T cells in the cornea has not been considered before because the eye produces only a suppressed immune response to avoid inflammation that can hinder our visi.
The study's lead author, Professor Scott Mueller of the University of Melbourne, laboratory leader at the Doherty Institute, said the findings have important implications for understanding how the eye defends against dangerous infectio.
"The current knowledge about the absence of T cells in the healthy cornea needs to be reconsidered, as our findings suggest that memory T cells that reside in the tissue enter the cornea and stay there for a long ti.
"Our findings will improve understanding of how to protect our eyes from infections that can lead to permanent blindness, such as the herpes simplex vir.
"It also has implications for understanding chronic diseases, such as dry eye disease and common eye allergies, where unwanted T cells can also contribute to disea.
The research was carried out in collaboration with the University of Melbourne's Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and Monash University's Institute of Pharma.