·AIM:Toexploretheeffectofimmunizationwithcopolymer-1(COP-1)andretinalstemcells(RSCs)transplantationoninterferon-gamma(IFN-γ)levelsinaratexperimentalglaucomamodel.·METHODS:Anexperimentalglaucomawasinducedbyargonlaserphotocoagulationoftheepiscleralveinsandlimbalplexusintherighteyeofrats.Immediatelyfollowingglaucomainduction,ratswereimmunizedwithCOP-1.RSCswereculturedandtransplantedintravitreallyintotheeyesofglaucomamodelanimals1weekpost-lasertreatment.Sixexperimentalgroupswereused:COP-1/RSC,PBS/RSC,COP-1/PBS,PBS/PBS,glaucomamodelgroup,andanormalcontrolgroup.TheconcentrationofIFN-γinaqueoushumor(AH)andserumwasmeasuredbyenzyme-linkedimmunosorbentassay(ELISA)ineachofthesixgroups.Retinalganglioncell(RGC)survivalwasassessedbyquantifyingapoptosisusingHoechststaining.·RESULTS:ConcentrationsofIFN-γinAHandserumofratsthathadundergoneglaucomainductionwerehigherthanthoseofnon-inducedcontrolrats.TheconcentrationsofIFN-γinAHandserumoftheCOP-1/RSCstreatedgroupweredeterminedtobe2371.9ng/Land710.9ng/L,respectively,whichweresignificantlylowerthanthoseintheothertreatedgroups(P<0.05).Infact,IFN-γlevelsinthedualtreatedgroupwerereducedtobackgroundlevels.TheCOP-1/RSCgrouphadlowernumberofapoptoticRGCsthantheotherthreeexperimentalgroups(P<0.05).·CONCLUSION:ThereducedlevelsofIFN-γinAHandserumoftheCOP-1/RSCgroupmayberelatedtosynergisticeffectsbetweenRSCstransplantationandCOP-1immunemodulation.ItislikelythatthelowerlevelsofIFN-γpreventedRGCsglaucomatousapoptosis.·
