Cell-mediated immune reactivity to ocular antigens in rheumatoid arthritis

Fourteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis were tested for the presence of cell-mediated immune reactivity to various ocular antigens by means of the leucocyte migration inhibition test. A significant difference in leucocyte migration was found between patients and healthy controls after incubation of their cells with purified rhodopsin, uveal pigment granules or soluble uveal antigens, but not with rod outer segments or soluble retinal antigens. Some indications have been obtained that the sensitization to rhodopsin in fact originates from a sensitization to connective tissue structural glycoproteins.