title: An HLA-peptide mimics organ-specific antigen in autoimmune uveitis: its role in pathogenesis and therapeutic induction of oral tolerance.
abstract: Autoimmune uveitis is a sight threatening disease, which is conventionally treated with immunosuppressive medication. New treatment strategies include immunological approaches and aim at antigen specificity like oral tolerance. A peptide from the sequence of certain HLA-class I molecules plays a central role in the pathogenesis. When T cells recognize the HLA-peptide and are activated they are enabled to pass the blood-retina barrier. In the eye they recognize a cross-reactive organ-specific peptide and cause inflammation, which presents as uveitis. Here, we used the HLA-peptide as oral tolerogen to treat uveitis patients in an open study. All patients showed a positive therapeutic response and could reduce their long-lasting conventional immunosuppressive treatment. We did not observe any side effects. Moreover, side effects from conventional therapy could be reduced significantly.
authors.affiliation: Section of Immunobiology, Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Mathildenstr. 8, 80336 Munich, Germany. sthurau@ak-i.med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Stephan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Thurau
authors.forename: Gerhild
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wildner
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D007167:Immunotherapy; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D010455:Peptides