@article {1351141,
	title = {Alkali burn to the eye: protection using TNF-α inhibition},
	journal = {Cornea},
	volume = {33},
	number = {4},
	year = {2014},
	month = {2014 Apr},
	pages = {382-9},
	abstract = {PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate early retinal damage after induction of ocular surface alkali burns and the protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blockade. METHODS: Alkali injury was induced in mouse corneas by using 1 N NaOH. Retinal damage was assessed using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2{\textquoteright}-deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, 15 minutes to 14 days postburn. Immune cell infiltration was assessed by CD45 immunolocalization. Retinal cytokines were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for interleukin (IL)1β, IL2, IL6, TNF-α, CCL5, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α. Protection against retinal damage was attempted with a single dose of either anti-TNF-α antibody (infliximab, 6.25 mg/kg) or control immunoglobulin G (IgG), administered intraperitoneally 15 minutes after the burn was inflicted. Corneal injury was evaluated by using TUNEL and CD45 immunolocalization and by quantifying corneal neovascularization. RESULTS: There was significant damage to the retina within 24 hours of the corneal burn being inflicted. TUNEL+ labeling was present in 80\% of the retinal ganglion cells, including a few CD45+ cells. There was a 10-fold increase in the retinal inflammatory cytokines in the study groups compared with that in controls. A single intraperitoneal dose of anti-TNF-α antibody, administered 15 minutes after the burn, markedly reduced retinal TUNEL+, CD45+ labeling, and inflammatory cytokine expression, compared with that in the controls. Additionally, TNF-α blockade caused a marked reduction in corneal neovascularization, and in cornea TUNEL and CD45 labeling, 5 days after the burn. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that alkali corneal burns can induce significant retinal damage within 24 hours. A single dose of anti-TNF-α antibody, administered 15 minutes after inflicting the burn, provides significant retinal and corneal protection. This could lead to the discovery of novel therapies for patients with alkali injuries.},
	keywords = {Animals, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Burns, Chemical, Corneal Diseases, Cytokines, Disease Models, Animal, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Eye Burns, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, In Situ Nick-End Labeling, Infliximab, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Leukocyte Common Antigens, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Retinal Diseases, Retinal Ganglion Cells, Sodium Hydroxide, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha},
	issn = {1536-4798},
	doi = {10.1097/ICO.0000000000000071},
	author = {Cade, Fabiano and Paschalis, Eleftherios I and Regatieri, Caio V and Vavvas, Demetrios G and Dana, Reza and Dohlman, Claes H}
}
