Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in the rat and mouse

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats and mice is a prototypic T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that targets the neural retina and related tissues. The model is used to represent human sight-threatening inflammatory eye diseases that are believed to have an autoimmune etiology, and to study basic mechanisms of tolerance and autoimmunity to organ-specific antigens from immunologically privileged sites. In this unit, EAU is induced in rats and mice by immunization with uveitogenic peptide antigens emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Clinical onset is observed by both external and microscopic examination. A protocol is provided for preparation of tissue sections of affected eyes for microscopic analysis. EAU can also be induced in the rat (as described) by adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from uveitic rats into unimmunized recipients, which obviates the use of CFA. To induce EAU in mice, Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX) is included to overcome immunological resistance mechanisms.