Preclinical characterization of endotoxin-induced uveitis models using OCT, PET/CT and proteomics

Uveitis is a group of inflammatory ocular pathologies. Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis (EIU) model represent a well-known model induced by administration of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The aim is to characterize two models of EIU through two routes of administration with novel noninvasive imaging techniques. 29 rats underwent Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurements, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), proteomic analysis, and Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET/CT). Groups included healthy controls (C), BSS administered controls (Ci), systemically induced EIU with LPS (LPSs), and intravitreally induced EIU with LPS (LPSi) for IOP, OCT, and proteomic studies. For ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT study, animals were divided into FDG-C, FDG-LPSs and FDG-LPSi groups and scanned using a preclinical PET/CT system. LPSi animals exhibited higher IOP post-induction compared to C and LPSs groups. LPSi showed increased cellular infiltrate, fibrotic membranes, and iris inflammation. Proinflammatory proteins were more expressed in EIU models, especially LPSi. PET/CT indicated higher eye uptake in induced models compared to FDG-C. FDG-LPSi showed higher eye uptake than FDG-LPSs but systemic uptake was higher in FDG-LPSs due to generalized inflammation. OCT is valuable for anterior segment assessment in experimental models. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT shows promise as a noninvasive biomarker for ocular inflammatory diseases. Intravitreal induction leads to higher ocular inflammation. These findings offer insights for future inflammatory disease research and drug studies.