Recoverin is highly uveitogenic in Lewis rats.
OBJECTIVE
Recoverin, a calcium-binding protein that selectively localizes to the retina and pineal gland, has been identified as the target for the putative pathogenic autoimmune process of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR). The present study was aimed at testing the capacity of recoverin to induce experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis and pinealitis in Lewis rats.


METHODS
Lewis rats were immunized against recombinant myristoylated recoverin by a single footpad injection of the protein, at various doses, emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Development of uveoretinitis was monitored by clinical and histologic examinations, whereas pinealitis was detected by histologic examination.


RESULTS
Immunization with recoverin induced severe panuveitic changes that closely resemble those induced by S-antigen (arrestin). The effect was dose-dependent, with 10 micrograms/rat the lowest immunopathogenic dose. Rats immunized with recoverin also developed pineal inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Recoverin is highly immunopathogenic in Lewis rats. Although the ocular changes induced in rats differ from those seen in CAR, the data recorded here are in line with the concept that recoverin can initiate pathogenic autoimmune processes in the eye.
Gery
I
I
Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Chanaud
N P
NP
Anglade
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D051597:Hippocalcin; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D051603:Recoverin; D012173:Retinitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D008074:Lipoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C496733:Rcvrn protein, rat; D051603:Recoverin; D051597:Hippocalcin