The immunomodulator vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) does not affect experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in B10.RIII mice.
OBJECTIVE
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) exhibits immunomodulatory activities both in vivo and in vitro, including efficient inhibition of murine experimental arthritis. In this study, we investigated the effects of VIP treatment on the induction of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU).


METHODS
EAU was induced in B10.RIII mice by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) using routine methods, but without treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX). VIP was injected i.p. at different doses into mice on alternate days. Mice were tested by conventional methods for ocular inflammation, antibody levels, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine release by cultured lymphocytes.


RESULTS
Treatment with VIP, at different doses, had essentially no effect on the development of EAU or antibody production in the B10.RIII mice. The treatment did have variable effects on the low interferon-gamma production by lymphocytes of these mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Unlike its inhibitory effect in the experimental arthritis system, VIP did not modulate the development of EAU in B10.RIII mice.
Chen
Jun
J
Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1857, USA.
Vistica
Barbara
B
Wiggert
Barbara
B
Chan
Chi-Chao
CC
Gery
Igal
I
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000099214:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Interstitial
D016207:Cytokines; D005136:Eye Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D000099214:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Interstitial