Suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by anti-alphabeta TCR monoclonal antibody

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of anti-alphabeta T cell receptor monoclonal antibody (R73) on the induction of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. METHODS: Lewis rats in which EAU was induced were treated with R73. All rats were examined for the clinical course of EAU, pathological findings of the globe, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and the interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene and protein expression in the eye. RESULTS: The R73 treatment was effective for delaying EAU onset, decreasing the severity of EAU, and suppressing delayed-type hypersensitivity to the antigen. IL-2 gene and protein expression was reduced by R73 treatment in the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. CONCLUSION: R73 treatment is effective for suppression of the development of EAU, inhibiting IL-2 expression in the eye.