Treatment of uveitis with recombinant human interleukin-13

AIM—To evaluate the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) for the treatment of uveitis.
METHODS—Uveitis was induced in monkeys by immunisation with human retinal S-antigen. Starting at the onset of disease, the animals were treated with IL-13 at 25 µg/kg, or vehicle control, injected subcutaneously once a day for 28 days. Intraocular inflammation was scored by indirect ophthalmoscopy for a period of 56 days. Circulating leucocyte levels were monitored.
RESULTS—Uveitis started unilaterally in all but one animal. IL-13 inhibited inflammation both in the eyes in which the disease was present when the treatment was initiated (p=0.0001), and in the contralateral initially negative eyes (p=0.0001). After cessation of therapy, there was a progressive increase of inflammation in the IL-13 treated group. However, the beneficial effect of IL-13 extended into the 4 week follow up period. IL-13 produced an increase in circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils and a decrease in lymphocytes.
CONCLUSION—Administration of IL-13 appears to be a promising modality of treatment for severe uveitis.

Keywords: uveitis; experimental autoimmune uveitis; cytokines; IL-13