Interleukin-1β promotes the induction of retinal autoimmune disease

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in initiating immunoinflammatory responses. In this study, we generated recombinant mouse IL-1β and anti-mouse IL-1β polyclonal antibodies to examine the effect of IL-1β on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a mouse model for T cell-mediated eye autoimmune disease. Administration of mouse IL-1β by i.p. in the priming phase, but not in the effector phase, of immune response of EAU enhanced disease scores and its related immune responses including DTH, Ag-specific T cell proliferation and the production of IL-17 and IFN-γ. Furthermore, administration of anti-IL-1β antibody in the priming phase reduced EAU scores. These results suggest that IL-1β is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as uveitis.