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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis: An Intraocular Inflammatory Mouse Model
Published on: January 12, 2022
AAV8-Mediated Retinal PD-L1 Gene Transfer Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis by Restoring Local Immune
Quanxi Lai1,2, Yuanyuan Jin1,2, Jingjie Ding1
1National Engineering Research Center of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)/PD-L1 shows promise for treating experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). This approach suppresses inflammation and preserves vision in EAU models.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is an ocular autoimmune disease characterized by intraocular inflammation.
- The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway plays a crucial role in immune regulation.
- Understanding the role of PD-1/PD-L1 in the retinal immune microenvironment is essential for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway in EAU.
- To elucidate the role of PD-1/PD-L1 in regulating the retinal immune microenvironment.
- To evaluate AAV8-mediated PD-L1 gene therapy as a treatment for EAU.
Main Methods:
- Lewis rats were injected with adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8)/PD-L1 before EAU induction.
- EAU was induced using interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP).
- Clinical scores, retinal function (ERG), and structure (OCT) were assessed. Histopathology, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry were used to analyze inflammation and cytokine expression.
Main Results:
- AAV8/PD-L1 significantly reduced intraocular inflammation and tissue damage in EAU rats.
- PD-L1 overexpression led to lower anterior chamber inflammation, decreased retinal leukocyte infiltration, and downregulated IL-17 expression.
- No adverse effects were observed in normal eyes treated with AAV8/PD-L1.
Conclusions:
- AAV8-mediated PD-L1 overexpression suppresses EAU progression by restoring retinal immune tolerance.
- This gene therapy approach attenuates inflammation and preserves visual function in EAU.
- Local immune modulation via PD-L1 offers a promising strategy for ocular autoimmune diseases.
