Apoptosis of CD4+ T cells occurs in experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU).
To investigate the spontaneous turning off mechanism of endogenous uveitis, EAAU was induced in Lewis rats. Immunohistochemical and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) stains revealed that CD4+ T cells were predominant in the uveal tissue of EAAU and that the apoptosis of these cells had occurred and progressed throughout the inflammatory period in EAAU eyes. The immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization for Fas ligand (FasL) expression showed that the expression of Fas ligand was increased in the EAAU eyes compared with control eyes. These results suggest that the apoptosis of CD4+ T cells may play a key role in the spontaneous turning off mechanism of intra-ocular inflammation and that the induction of apoptosis may be mediated by the Fas-FasL system in EAAU.
Yu
H G
HG
Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Chung
H
H
Lee
W J
WJ
D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D017209:Apoptosis; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013997:Time Factors; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
D001324:Autoantigens; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505662:Faslg protein, rat; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger