Immunoregulation by antigenic stimulation via the anterior chamber of the eye

The presentation of alloantigen to the host via the anterior chamber of the eye can alter the host's immune response. Spleen cells from Lewis rats bearing Brown Norway skin implants in the anterior chamber demonstrated a mildly depressed in vitro blastogenic response to MLC and to PHA stimulation 7-28 days after implantation, a normal response by 35 days, and a slightly greater than normal response by 42 days after implantation. In addition, serum from rats bearing implants for 7-24 days demonstrated a significant depressant effect on the blastogenic response of normal spleen cells to MLC and to PHA stimulation, but the "blocking" effect was absent by 42 days postimplantation. These results indicate that antigen presentation via the anterior chamber of the eye can produce a state of active immunosuppression within the host which could contribute to the privileged nature of the anterior chamber of the eye.