大鼠实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜视网膜炎模型

目的 :建立大鼠实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜视网膜炎 (EAU)模型 ,为探讨人类葡萄膜炎的发病机制奠定基础。方法 :18只Wistar大鼠用 3只不同剂量牛视网膜可溶性抗原 (S Ag)免疫后 ,每日扩瞳进行EAU临床观察 ;当大鼠出现中度以上EAU临床表现时处死、其他大鼠第 3～ 4w时处死后眼球摘除 ,行组织学观察。结果 :3组不同剂量S Ag免疫大鼠EAU发病率分别为 :10 0 μgS Ag组 6只大鼠 (12只眼 )为 2 12、2 0 0 μgS Ag组 6只大鼠 (12只眼 )为 6 12、30 0 μgS Ag组 6只大鼠 (12只眼 )为8 12 ;组织学炎症评分分别为 :0、16 76± 11 0 2、17 5 6± 9 96。结论 :使用中等纯度的S Ag ,以及中等敏感度的Wistar大鼠 ,可成功诱发出EAU模型     

The role of the ICOS/B7RP-1 T cell costimulatory pathway in murine experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

ICOS/B7RP-1 is a new member of the CD28/B7 family of costimulatory molecules and plays differential roles in autoimmune diseases. In this study, we examined the role of ICOS/B7RP-1 pathway in the pathogenesis of mouse experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), an animal model of human autoimmune uveitis. ICOS expression was found on infiltrating CD4+ T cells in the region of the retina in EAU-induced mice. The anti-B7RP-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-treated or ICOS-deficient mice showed a substantial reduction of disease scores. Blockade of ICOS/B7RP-1 interaction during the effector phase ameliorated the disease, whereas its blockade during the induction phase exhibited no significant effect. Moreover, administration of anti-B7RP-1 mAb effectively ameliorated the disease induced by adoptive transfer of pathogenic T cells. The anti-B7RP-1 mAb treatment inhibited the expansion and/or effector function of pathogenic T cells, given that proliferative response and IFN-gamma production by lymph node cells were reduced upon restimulation with the antigen peptide in vitro. These results suggest that the ICOS/B7RP-1 interaction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. We also indicated that ICOS-mediated costimulation plays differential roles in EAU and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which is also a Th1 disease induced in the same manner as EAU.     

Inhibition of the alternative pathway of complement activation reduces inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

We have shown previously that complement factor H (CFH) and complement factor B (CFB) are constitutively expressed by retinal pigment epithelial cells and their production is regulated by inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that the alternative pathway (AP) of complement activation might play a role in retinal inflammation. In this study, we further investigated the role of the AP in retinal inflammation using experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) as a model. Mice with EAU show increased levels of C3d deposition and CFB expression in the retina. Retinal inflammation was suppressed clinically and histologically by blocking AP‐mediated complement activation with a complement receptor of the Ig superfamily fusion protein (CRIg‐Fc). In line with reduced inflammation, C3d deposition and CFB expression were markedly decreased by CRIg‐Fc treatment. Treatment with CRIg‐Fc also led to reduced T‐cell proliferation and IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, IL‐17, and IL‐6 cytokine production by T cells, and reduced nitric oxide production in BM‐derived macrophages. Our results suggest that AP‐mediated complement activation contributes significantly to retinal inflammation in EAU. CRIg‐Fc suppressed retinal inflammation in EAU by blocking AP‐mediated complement activation with probable direct effects on C3/C5 activation of macrophages, thus leading to reduced nitric oxide production by infiltrating CRIg^? macrophages.     

Peptide-mediated suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in mice: development of a peptide vaccine

Experimental autoimmune uveoretlnltls (EAU) Is an animal modelof antigen-specific, T_h cell-mediated, organ-specific autoimmunedisease. EAU is induced by immunization of B10.A mice with Interphotoreceptorretlnold-binding protein (IRBP). Pre-treatment with syntheticpeptlde 518–529 derived from IRBP prevented IRBP-medlatedEAU. This was accompanied by augmentation of the IRBP-speciflclgG1 antibody (T_h2) response and down-regulation of the IRBP-specfflclgG2a (T_h1) response. Consistent with this is the observationthat two of two T cell lines established from p518–529-primedmice produced T_h2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), whereas threeof three T cell lines obtained from IRBP-prlmed mice producedT_h1-type cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-). Together this suggests thepossibility that p518–529 priming causes a shift froma T_h1- to a T_h2-domlnated Immune response, thereby playing apivotal role In the prevention of IRBP-mediated EAU. Furthermore,co-transfer of cells from a CD4⁺ p518–529-specfflc T cellline prevented the development of EAU after adoptive transferof spleen cells from mice with EAU Into normal mice. These findingscontribute to our understanding of the mechanism of EAU, particularlywith respect to the down-regulation of T_h1-initiated Inflammation,and may prove valuable for designing a peptlde vaccine for EAUIn the future.     

Antigen-driven tissue-specific suppression following oral tolerance: Orally administered myelin basic protein suppresses proteolipid protein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the SJL mouse

Immunomodulatory treatment paradigms have been applied to animal models of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases in an attempt to develop an immunospecific and non-toxic form of therapy which can be applied to humans. These treatment paradigms are often directed to T cells with a restricted T cell receptor repertoire or that react with dominant peptide determinants. Experimental data, however, suggests that even if the initial T cell response is restricted to a specific self-protein in the target organ, spreading autoimmunity may develop with broadening of T cell autoreactivity to additional epitopes of the same autoantigen or to different autoantigens in the target organ. Thus, multiple autoantigens may become targets of the autoimmune response. This makes immunotherapeutic strategies based on suppressing responses to restricted proteins or clones of cells problematic. We have previously shown that suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Lewis rat by oral myelin basic protein (MBP) is mediated by the release of transforming growth factor-β after triggering by the oral tolerogen. Here, we report that in the SJL model of EAE oral administration of an autoantigen from the target tissue suppresses disease independent of whether it is or is not the inciting antigen. Thus, orally administered MBP or MBP peptides suppress proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced EAE, whereas intravenously administered MBP does not. Both oral and intravenous PLP, however, suppressed PLP disease. These findings have important implications for the use of oral tolerance as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory autoimmune diseases in man in which the inciting autoantigen is unknown or in which there is autoreactivity to multiple autoantigens in the target tissue.     

Identification of genomic regions controlling experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in rats

The present study attempts to identify specific genetic locicontributing to experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)susceptibility in F₂ progeny of resistant Fischer (F344/N) andsusceptible Lewis (LEW/N) inbred rats. F₂ progeny of F344/Nx LEW/N inbred rats were immunized with the R16 peptide of interphotoreceptorretinoid-binding protein (IRBP). A genome-wide scan was conductedusing 125 simple sequence length polymorphism markers in selectedF₂ animals that developed severe eye disease or remained unaffectedto identify phenotype:genotype co-segregation. The F₂ population(n = 1287) demonstrated a wide range of histologically assessedEAU scores (assessed on a scale of 0–4). The disease incidenceand severity were not consistent with a simple Mendelian inheritancemodel. Of the F₂ hybrid rats, 60% developed EAU, implying theexistence of a potent susceptibility locus with incomplete penetranceassociated with the LEW genome or a more complex polygenic modelof inheritance. Two genomic regions, on chromosomes 4 and 12,showed strong genetic linkage to the EAU phenotype (P < 0.0016),suggesting the presence of susceptibility loci in these chromosomalregions. In conclusion, we have identified two genomic candidateintervals from D4Arb8 to D4Mit17 on chromosome 4 and from thechromosome end to D12Arb8 on chromosome 12, that appear to influenceEAU susceptibility in LEW/F344 rats. Further analysis of thesegenomic regions may lead to identification of the susceptibilitygenes and to characterization of their function.     

Intraocular injection of tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles: a new treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

In this study, we tested the efficiency of an intravitreal injection of tamoxifen, a non-steroidal estrogen receptor modulator, in retinal soluble antigen (S-Ag)-induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). To increase the bioavailability of tamoxifen, we incorporated tamoxifen into polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated nanoparticles (NP-PEG-TAM). The localization of the nanoparticles within the eye was investigated using fluorescent-labeled PEG-coated nanoparticles after injection into the vitreous cavity of rats with EAU. Some nanoparticles were distributed extracellularly throughout the ocular tissues, others were concentrated in resident ocular cells and in infiltrating macrophages. Whereas the injection of free tamoxifen did not alter the course of EAU, injection of NP-PEG-TAM performed 1-2 days before the expected onset of the disease in controls resulted in significant inhibition of EAU. NP-PEG-TAM injection significantly reduced EAU compared to injection of NP-PEG-TAM with 17beta-estradiol (E2), suggesting that tamoxifen is acting as a partial antagonist to E2. Diminished infiltration by MHC class II(+) inflammatory cells and low expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and RANTES mRNA were noted in eyes of NP-PEG-TAM-treated rats. Intravitreal injection of NP-PEG-TAM decreased S-Ag lymphocyte proliferation, IFN-gamma production by inguinal lymph node cells, and specific delayed-type hypersensitivity indicative of a reduced Th1-type response. It increased the anti-S-Ag IgG1 isotype indicating an antibody class switch to Th2 response. These data suggest that NP-PEG-TAM inhibition of EAU could result from a form of immune deviation. Tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles may represent a new option for the treatment of experimental uveitis.     

TH2 activated cells prevent experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis,a TH1-dependent autoimmune disease

Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) injections protect (Lewis x Brown-Norway) F1 (F1) rats against experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by immunization with the retinal S antigen (S-Ag); in contrast HgCl₂-injected F1 rats develop EAU following transfer of lymph node (LN) cells from rats immunized with S-Ag alone. In the present study we demonstrate that the ability of LN cells from rats protected against EAU to transfer the disease into naive F1 rats was considerably reduced. These LN cells neither produced interleukin (IL)-2 nor (interferon (IFN)-γ but exhibited mRNA for IL-4. In contrast, LN cells from diseased rats easily transferred EAU into naive F1 rats, produced significant IL-2 and IFN-γ levels but barely exhibited mRNA for IL-4. Furthermore protected rats predominantly produced IgG2b anti-S-Ag antibodies, while diseased rats produced IgG2b anti-S-Ag antibodies and the increase in expression of MHC class II molecules on B cells was higher in protected rats than in diseased rats. These data suggest that (1) to exert a protective effect, HgCl₂ must act at an early stage of differentiation of precursors of S-Ag specific T cells, and (2) this effect is related to the preferential activation of TH2 cells to the detriment of uveitogenic TH1 cells. Finally, these results indicate that activation of TH2 cells protect from a TH1-dependent autoimmune disease.     

The matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor BB-1101 prevents experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)

EAU is characterized by breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier and extravasation of leucocytes into retinal tissue leading to destruction of photoreceptor cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) have been implicated in trafficking of cells into tissues, but their role in inflammatory eye disease is unclear. A synthetic MMP inhibitor, BB-1101, was administered subcutaneously, from either day 0 or day 7, to Lewis rats challenged with bovine S-antigen to induce EAU. When given up to day 14, BB-1101 reduced the incidence of disease and delayed the day of onset of clinical disease. When administered from day 7 until day 21, EAU was completely abrogated. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay showed an increase of both matrilysin (MMP-7), neutrophil collagenase (MMP-8) and macrophage metalloproteinase (MMP-12) in retinas from EAU animals compared with naive controls. These enzymes are produced by activated leucocytes and act on components of the basement membrane. These results therefore implicate these MMP as integral to the development of pathology in EAU.     

Orally administered myelin basic protein in neonates primes for immune responses and enhances experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in adult animals

Antigen-driven tolerance is an effective method for suppression of autoimmune diseases. Adult animals can be tolerized against the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by both oral and parenteral administration of myelin basic protein (MBP). We have found that in contrast to previous studies of neonatal tolerance in which parenterally administered autoantigens induced tolerance, the oral administration of MBP in neonatal rats did not result in tolerization to MBP, but instead, primed for immunologic responses. Proliferative responses to MBP and its encephalitogenic epitope were present in animals fed with MBP as neonates and co-culture of encephalitogenic T cells with cells from neonatal rats fed with MBP were associated with enhanced MBP responses rather than the suppression observed with cells from adult rats fed with MBP. Furthermore, neonates fed with MBP and immunized 6–8 weeks later with MBP in adjuvant to induce EAE revealed enhancement of disease severity, and were not protected from a second attack upon active reinduction of EAE. Subcutaneous injection of soluble MBP into neonates had no effect on EAE induction as adults, whereas intraperitoneal injection of MBP in neonates was associated with marked suppression of disease in adults. Suppression of EAE began to appear in animals fed with MBP at 4 weeks of age, and was similar to oral tolerance in adult animals when animals were fed at 6 weeks of age. These results suggest that immaturity of the immunoregulatory network associated with oral tolerance and sensitization to autoantigens via the gut in the neonatal period may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.     

Effect of sex hormones on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)

Purpose: Sex hormones have been associated with the prevalence, susceptibility, and severity of autoimmune disease. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, sex hormones are reported to influence cytokine production, specifically by affecting the balance of Th1 and Th2 effector cells. We evaluated the effect of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a rodent model of human ocular autoimmune disease. Methods: Lewis rats implanted with either β-estradiol (estrogen), 5-dihydrotestosterone (5-DHT), norgestrel (progesterone), or estrogen plus progesterone were immunized with the retinal antigen interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) peptide. Evaluation of EAU was based on histology of the eyes and measurement of peripheral immunological responses of DTH and lymphocyte proliferation to S-antigen. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure IFN-γ and IL-10 mRNA in the eyes. Results: In female rats 5-DHT significantly decreased, estrogen slightly enhanced, but progesterone or estrogen + progesterone did not affect EAU. In contrast, in male rats 5-DHT slightly decreased, estrogen moderately decreased, progesterone did not effect, but, estrogen + progesterone slightly decreased EAU. The results correlated with the ocular levels of Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-10) cytokine messengers. Conclusion: The data support the hypothesis that sex hormones may affect autoimmune diseases by inducing changes in the cytokine balance. This suggests that sex hormone therapy could be considered as an adjunct to anti-inflammatory agents to treat ocular autoimmune diseases in humans.     

Human immunoglobulin preparations for intravenous use prevent experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

We have evaluated the effect of human Igs for intravenous use(IVIg) on the onset and development of experimental autoimmuneuveoretinitis (EAU), a T cell-dependent autoimmune disease inducedin rats by a single immunization with retinal S-antigen (S-Ag).Five consecutive daily infusions of IVIg, starting on the sameday as S-Ag immunization, protected (Lewis x Brown-Norway) F¹rats against EAU. The prevention of EAU was IVIg-specific, i.e.mediated by pooled human IgG from multiple donors, since neitherinfusions of BSA nor infusions of pooled Ig from only two healthyindividuals were effective. Treatment with IVIg decreased lymphocyteprollferative and antibody responses to S-Ag and the proliferativeresponse to concanavalin A. Lack of proliferation was not dependentupon generation of suppressor cells. Lymph node (LN) cells fromIVIg-treated and S-Ag-immunized animals neither proliferatednor secreted IL-2 in response to S-Ag but proliferated whenco-cultured with LN cells from rats immunized with S-Ag. Ourfindings are compatible with an induction of a state of functionalinactivatlon/anergy of T lymphocytes by infusions of IVIg. Thisfunctional inactivation may be due to the presence in IVIg ofantibodies that bind both in vivo and in vitro to rat lymphocytes.Results from the present study suggest a novel mechanism bywhich IVIg may be beneficial in human autoimmune diseases.     

Effect of lymphocytic infiltration on the blood-retinal barrier in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

Using an experimental model of autoimmune uveoretinitis, we have examined the relationship of T cell infiltration in the retina to blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown. Sensitive quantitative in vivo techniques were used to examine BRB permeability to sucrose, a low mol. wt non-transported solute. Electron microscopy was also used to localize extravasated horseradish peroxidase, a macromolecular visual tracer, from the retinal vasculature and to identify the route by which any leakage was occurring. No increase in BRB permeability was found prior to lymphocytic infiltration. By day 10 of the disease inflammatory cells could be seen within the structurally intact retina, which was shortly followed by an increase in the permeability of the BRB to sucrose. Only later in the disease process, when damage to the photoreceptor layer became apparent, did extravasation of the macromolecule HRP occur. At no stage of the disease process was there any detectable damage to inter-endothelial tight junctions. The size-dependancy of tracer extravasation in the initial stages of the disease is indicative of a paracellular route being responsible for the increase in BRB permeability. In later stages of the disease some evidence of horseradish peroxidase filled 'vesicle-like' profiles was observed. We suggest that the devastating complication of BRB breakdown in ocular inflammation is a direct consequence of lymphocytic infiltration.     

Prevention of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by monoclonal antibody to interleukin-12

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a retinal self antigen, has been regarded to be a typical T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated inflammatory disease. In this study, we examined the effect of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to interleukin-12 (IL-12), which has been known to play a critical role in the Th1 differentiation, on the development of EAU. While 9 of 13 control mice developed EAU by the immunization with IRBP, none of 12 mice developed EAU when given anti-IL-12 mAb 1 day before immunization. These mice did not develop EAU even after a rechallenge with IRBP on day 30, indicating that a protective mechanism had been established by the anti-IL-12 treatment. The proliferative response of splenocytes to IRBP in vitro was not significantly impaired, but the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ was greatly reduced by the anti-IL-12 treatment. Moreover, production of IL-5 and expression of IL-4 mRNA were increased by the anti-IL-12 treatment. Consistently, IgG2a anti-IRBP serum antibodies were decreased and IgG1 were increased. Administration of a neutralizing anti-IL-4 mAb at the time of IRBP rechallenge reversed the protection established by the anti-IL-12 treatment at the primary immunization. These results indicate that the anti-IL-12 treatment at the IRBP priming not only prevented the development of pathogenic Th1 cells, but also induced suppressive Th2 cells that protect the animals from further challenge with the same antigen.     

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor activity minimizes target organ damage in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis despite quantitatively normal activated T cell traffic to the retina

Recent studies demonstrated that administration of a p55-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor IgG-fusion protein (TNFR-IgG) prevented the clinical onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis but did not alter the number or tissue distribution of autoantigen-specific CD4⁺ effector T cells which trafficked into the central nervous system. To determine whether specific target tissues of autoimmune damage remain intact after TNFR-IgG treatment despite the presence of inflammatory cells within the tissues, we examined rats with experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), as in this model, the main target of autoreactive CD4⁺ T cells, the retinal rod outer segments (ROS), can be examined readily by light microscopy. As judged by direct ophthalmoscopy, the onset of inflammation in the anterior chamber of the eye in EAU following administration of TNFR-IgG was delayed by 6 days compared to untreated controls, but the magnitude of the response was only slightly less than controls. Histological examination of the retinae and direct assessment of retinal inflammation revealed a disproportionate sparing of ROS in the TNFR-IgG-treated animals despite a level of retinal inflammation not substantially less than controls in which ROS damage was marked. Analysis of retinal leukocytes by immunofluo-rescence microscopy and flow cytometry indicated that approximately equal numbers of CD4⁺ αβTCR⁺ lymphocytes were present in treated and control retinae, more than 30% of CD4⁺ cells in both experimental groups expressed the CD25 or MRC OX40 activation markers and most cells, which would include the CD4⁺ T lymphocytes, were activated as evidenced by MHC class II expression. Fewer activated macrophages and granulocytes were present in the treated retinae, possibly reflecting the lower level of tissue damage and subsequent accumulation of these inflammatory cells. The results demonstrate directly that a tissue specifically targeted for autoimmune destruction can be protected despite the influx of fully activated CD4⁺ T cells.     

Systemic and local anti‐C5 therapy reduces the disease severity in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Activation of complement occurs during autoimmune retinal and intraocular inflammatory disease as well as neuroretinal degenerative disorders. The cleavage of C5 into fragments C5a and C5b is a critical event during the complement cascade. C5a is a potent proinflammatory anaphylatoxin capable of inducing cell migration, adhesion and cytokine release, while membrane attack complex C5b‐9 causes cell lysis. Therapeutic approaches to prevent complement‐induced inflammation include the use of blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to prevent C5 cleavage. In these current experiments, the rat anti‐mouse C5 mAb (BB5·1) was utilized to investigate the effects of inhibition of C5 cleavage on disease progression and severity in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a model of organ‐specific autoimmunity in the eye characterized by structural retinal damage mediated by infiltrating macrophages. Systemic treatment with BB5·1 results in significantly reduced disease scores compared with control groups, while local administration results in an earlier resolution of disease. In vitro, contemporaneous C5a and interferon‐γ signalling enhanced nitric oxide production, accompanied by down‐regulation of the inhibitory myeloid CD200 receptor, contributing to cell activation. These experiments demonstrate that C5 cleavage contributes to the full expression of EAU, and that selective C5 blockade via systemic and local routes of administration can suppress disease. This presents great therapeutic potential to protect against tissue damage during autoimmune responses in the retina or inflammation‐induced degenerative disease.     

Circulating immune complexes may play a regulatory and pathogenic role in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.

We compared the time course of changes in serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CICs) and of IgG antibody after sensitization of albino Lewis and pigmented Lister strain rats with uveitogenic (retinal S-antigen) and non-uveitogenic (ovalbumin) protein antigens of comparable molecular weight. Normal levels of CICs were far lower in Lewis rats in which experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) takes the form of a severe panuveitis, than in Lister rats, in which the disease is mild, focal, confined to the posterior segment, and of lower incidence. After sensitization with either S-antigen or ovalbumin, polyethylene-glycol-precipitable CIC (PEG-CIC) peaked and fell as IgG antibody levels rose in both rat strains. However, peak levels of PEG-CIC were lower and subsequent IgG antibody levels were higher in the Lewis strain than in the less susceptible Lister strain. In both strains of rat these linked PEG-CIC/IgG antibody responses occurred earlier after sensitization with uveitogenic (S-) antigen than with ovalbumin, whether or not individual S-antigen-sensitized Lister rats developed EAU. In contrast, complement-binding CIC rose substantially only in those rats of both strains displaying EAU in response to S-antigen and not in response to ovalbumin. We suggest that immune complex (idiotypic) regulation of IgG antibody responses may be more readily perturbed by a pathogenic autoantigen (S-antigen) than by a bland antigen (ovalbumin). We also suggest that differences between the balance of regulatory and pathogenic CIC responses to uveitogenic retinal antigen may underlie or reflect strain differences in susceptibility to and severity of EAU.     

Inhibition of very late antigen-4 and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

B10.RIII mice were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein peptide to induce uveitis. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with anti-very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1), or a control Ab every other day from Day 5 to Day 13 post-immunization. The eyes and spleens were harvested on Day 14 or 28. The eyes were used for histologic/cytokine mRNA expression analyses. The spleens were used for Ag-recall cytokine production assays and intracellular cytokine assays. Treatment with both Abs led to a profoundly significant reduction in severity of uveitis and cytokine mRNA expression in the eye. However, cytokine production by splenocytes was significantly upregulated. Discontinuation of Ab treatment led to an increase in uveitis severity and cytokine mRNA expression in the eye, but led to a decrease in cytokine production and intracellular IFN-γ⁺ and IL-17A⁺cytokine profile by splenocytes. Thus, blockade of these molecules using specific Abs may be a therapeutic option for patients with uveitis; however, such treatment must be continued.     

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells on dynamic changes of T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being explored extensively as a promising treatment for autoimmune diseases. We have recently reported that MSCs could ameliorate experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. In this study, we examined further the effects of MSCs on the dynamics of T cell subsets in both eye and spleen and their cytokine production during the course of EAU. We focused on when and where the MSCs had inhibitory effects on T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells and how long the inhibitory effect lasted, in order to provide more mechanistic evidence for MSCs on the treatment of uveitis. Compared to the control group, administration of MSCs decreased the production of Th1 and Th17 cytokines significantly, while the production of Th2 and regulatory T cell (T_reg) cytokines [interleukin (IL)‐10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β] was elevated during the entire course of EAU. Correspondingly, the dynamic levels of IL‐17 in the aqueous humour (AqH) were reduced in MSC‐treated rats. Moreover, the ratio of Th17/T_reg cells in both spleen and eye was decreased. These results provide powerful evidence that MSCs can regulate negatively both Th1 and Th17 responses and restore the balance of Th17/T_regs in the whole course of EAU, which is important for the regression of the disease.     

细胞因子在实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎耐受中的作用

细胞因子(CK)在实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)的免疫机制中起着重要作用。Th细胞的不同转化决定EAE的发生、发展或抑制。由多种CK构成的免疫调节网络操纵着Th细胞的免疫应答。通过作用Th细胞使之向抑制EAE方向转化,从而寻找对EAE耐受的途径,是目前EAE研究的一个重要方面。以下就与EAE耐受相关的CK研究进行综述,探讨EAE免疫病理机制。