A new procedure for experimental autoimmune uveitis with small uveitogenic peptides.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstration of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) with extremely small, fragmented peptides (12-30 amino acid residues) of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRPB).


METHODS
Very small fragmented peptides (no. 854, 888, 907, and 1057) were conjugated to heat-killed Group A Streptococcus cells and administered as a single intravenous injection to Lewis rats. A non-uveitogenic peptide 950 was also conjugated to heat-killed Streptococcus and administered. Administration of a mixture of small peptides and Streptococcus was a control for the peptides conjugated with Streptococcus.


RESULTS
The uveitogenic peptide/Streptococcus conjugates produced uveitis inflammatory responses in the uvea, retina and pineal gland. Administration of mixtures of small peptides and Streptococcus cells, and a non-uveitogenic peptide 950 conjugated with Streptococcus did not produce autoimmune uveitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Since mixtures of small uveitogenic peptides and Streptococcal cells did not develop autoimmune uveitis, conjugated Streptococcal cells provided a vehicle for macrophage phagocytosos of very small uveitogenic IRBP peptides. Subsequent antigen presentation from macrophages to lymphocytes developed autoimmune uveitis. Peptide 888, one of four IRBP peptides that encompass the major uveitogenic domain, proved to be the most effective in development of uveitis.
Sery
Theodore W
TW
Research Division, and Pathology Service, Wills Eye Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University, 840 Walniut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. twsery@comcast.net
Su
Ying-Hsiu
YH
Eagle
Ralph
R
Ueda
Masumi
M
Yamamoto
Nobuto
N
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D018796:Immunoconjugates / Q000633:toxicity*; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D023421:Models, Animal; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D014602:Uvea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000099214:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Interstitial
D005136:Eye Proteins; D018796:Immunoconjugates; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D000099214:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Interstitial