[Opthalmological studies of adjuvant disease in rats. I. Clinical and histological observations]

T cell immunity to myelin basic protein induces anterior uveitis in Lewis rats

Uveitis of unknown etiology is known to occur in association with various systemic disorders. We now report that anterior uveitis (AU) can be produced by T cell immunity to myelin basic protein (BP) and accompanies experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE with AU was induced in Lewis rats by immunization to BP in CFA or by immunization to various BP peptides including the encephalitogenic 71-90 peptide. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy of BP-immunized Lewis rats revealed AU, characterised by inflammation of the iris, in 73% of the eyes. The onset of AU in actively immunized rats varied between days 12 and 26, often appearing after spontaneous remission of the paralysis, the hallmark of EAE. The course of AU was progressive, affecting more than 50% of the surface of the iris in 16 of 29 diseased eyes. Like the paralysis, the AU was self-limiting: within 2 weeks the disease remitted. In addition, AU could be adoptively transferred to naive and irradiated rats by a T cell clone specific for BP peptide 71-90. The present observations are compatible with the idea that AU may be triggered by BP-reactive T cells. The myelinated nerves present in the iris have been shown to contain BP. However, these peripheral nerves would now appear to be the only peripheral nerves susceptible to acute EAE.

Endotoxin-induced uveitis in the rat

Experimental studies of ocular inflammation induced by endotoxin have been performed almost exclusively in rabbits. Although the rat has been considered refractory to both the systemic and local effects of endotoxin, the present study has shown that intravitreal injection of endotoxin evoked a characteristic acute inflammatory response which was reproducible and dose-dependent. In addition, a consensual ocular response in the control eye occurred which was less severe but also dose-dependent. Preliminary investigations support the view that consensual responses of this nature may be mediated by a nervous reflex are mechanism. Sequential histological analysis revealed a marked polymorphonuclear cell infiltration of most ocular tissues in the early stages, while mononuclear cells predominated after 3 days. Widespread intravascular microthrombi were also observed, particularly in the ciliary vessels. Recovery, however, was usually complete by 7 days.

[Genetic differences in the eye-manifestation of adjuvant arthritis in the rat. III. Crossbreeding experiments (author's transl)]

The results of crossbreeding experiments between several strains of rats are reported. They show differences in the prevalence of iritis in the course of adjuvant disease as did the results we published in an earlier article. There are alterations which indicate a recessive heredity of the tendency to iritis. The contribution of genetic factors in the course of adjuvant arthritis has been confirmed by the present results.

[Autoimmunity in chronic inflammatory eye disease (author's transl)]

Preparations of allogenous and xenogenous retinal rod outer segments (ROS) were found to be adequately antigenic for detection of cellular immunity in human chorioretinitis. The electrophoretic mobility test was used for estimation of delayed-type hypersensitivity. No significant results with ROS were found in patients with panophthalmia or in control subjects. It is assumed that the results reported here in chronic ophthalmic inflammation may be produced by or connected with autoimmune processes.