Effect of transforming growth factor beta-1 in endotoxin-induced uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta-1) can modulate inflammation. Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) is characterized by acute ocular inflammation related to the release of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6. The authors investigated the effect of TGF beta-1 on EIU in mice.


METHODS
Three independent experiments were performed. Endotoxin-induced uveitis was induced in C3H/HeN mice by an injection of 200 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Two micrograms of TGF beta-1 in 0.1 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 0.1 ml PBS alone was administered intraperitoneally at 8 hours after LPS injection. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection, the aqueous humor of the right eyes was collected for leukocyte count, protein concentration, and IL-6 assay. Left eyes were processed for routine histology.


RESULTS
TGF beta-1-treated mice showed less ocular inflammation histologically than to the animals that were given PBS. This was confirmed by decreases in leukocyte count, protein concentration, and IL-6 level in the aqueous humor.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF beta-1 inhibits the development of EIU. TGF beta-1 may be useful for the modulation of uveitis in humans.
Peng
B
B
Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1858, USA.
Li
Q
Q
Roberge
F G
FG
Chan
C C
CC
D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000276:immunology; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004731:Endotoxins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta