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Experimental autoimmune uveitis in the athymic nude rat
European Journal of Immunology
|June 1, 1982
Summary
Experimental autoimmune uveitis requires T lymphocytes. Athymic nude rats, lacking T cells, did not develop uveitis after soluble antigen (S-Ag) exposure, but could be induced to develop the condition via adoptive transfer of T cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is an inflammatory eye disease.
- The role of T lymphocytes in EAU induction is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of T lymphocytes in the induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) using retinal soluble antigen (S-Ag).
Main Methods:
- Induction of uveitis in Lewis and athymic nude rats using S-Ag.
- Assessment of clinical and histological signs of ocular inflammation.
- Analysis of circulating antibodies and lymphocyte proliferation responses.
- Adoptive transfer of lymphocytes and serum from immunized rats to naive athymic nude rats.
Main Results:
- Lewis and heterozygous rats developed severe uveitis after S-Ag injection.
- Athymic nude rats, lacking T cell function, did not develop EAU.
- Adoptive transfer of lymphocytes from S-Ag-immunized rats induced uveitis in athymic nude rats.
- Transfer of hyperimmune serum alone did not induce disease.
Conclusions:
- T lymphocytes play a critical role in the induction of experimental autoimmune uveitis.
- Cell-mediated immunity, not humoral immunity, is essential for EAU pathogenesis.