Characterization of cytokines associated with Th17 cells in the eyes of horses with recurrent uveitis.
Abstract: Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a spontaneous disease that is the most common cause of blindness in horses, affecting up to 15% of the horse population. Th17 cells are a major cell population driving the pathogenesis in several mouse models of autoimmune inflammation, including experimental autoimmune uveitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role a Th17 cell-mediated response plays in the pathogenesis of ERU. Methods: Banked, Davidson's-fixed equine globes histopathologically diagnosed with ERU (n = 7) were compared immunohistochemically with healthy control globes (n = 7). Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a pan-Leptospira antibody and antibodies against IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23. Additionally, immunostaining was performed for T-cell (CD3) and B-cell (CD79α) markers. Specificity of immunoreactivity was confirmed by western blot analysis. Results: Immunohistochemical staining was positive for IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 within the cytoplasm of nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells and mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltrating the iris, and ciliary body of ERU horses (n = 7) but negative in controls (n = 7). ERU-affected eyes were CD3 positive (n = 7) and CD79α negative (n = 7). Staining for Leptospira was negative in all ERU and control globes. Conclusions: Strong immunoreactivity for IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23, in conjunction with the fact that T lymphocytes are the predominating inflammatory cells present in ERU, suggests that IL-17-secreting helper T-cells play a role in the pathogenesis of ERU. These findings suggest that horses with ERU may serve as a naturally occurring animal model for autoimmune uveitis.
© 2011 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
Publication Date: 2011-10-07 PubMed ID: 22051225DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00951.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study explores the role of Th17 immune cells in equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), a disease causing blindness in horses. The findings suggest these cells and their associated cytokines may be involved in ERU’s development, suggesting potential for horses with ERU to function as models for studying autoimmune uveitis.
Objective and methods of the study
- The research aims to understand the part Th17 cells, known to drive auto-immune inflammation in mouse models, play in recurring uveitis in horses.
- The researchers used banked, Davidson’s-fixed equine globes diagnosed histopathologically to have ERU and compared them via immunohistochemical analysis with healthy globes.
- Cytokines associated with Th17 cells such as IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were targeted for immunohistochemical staining, along with T-cell (CD3) and B-cell (CD79α) markers.
- Immunoreactivity specificity was established using the western blot analysis method.
Results of the study
- The nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells and inflammatory mononuclear cells infiltrating the iris and ciliary body of ERU horses displayed positive staining for IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23, but the control group did not show this pattern.
- ERU-affected eyes had T-cell (CD3) positivity and did not have B-cell (CD79α) activity.
- All ERU and control globes had negative staining for Leptospira.
Conclusions and implications of the study
- The researchers observed strong immunoreactivity for IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, which along with the predominance of T lymphocytes as the inflammatory cells in ERU, suggests the role of IL-17-secreting helper T-cells in the pathogenesis of ERU.
- The findings suggest horses with ERU could serve as natural models for studying autoimmune uveitis, thus expanding potential research into this area of study.
Cite This Article
APA
Regan DP, Aarnio MC, Davis WS, Carmichael KP, Vandenplas ML, Lauderdale JD, Moore PA.
(2011).
Characterization of cytokines associated with Th17 cells in the eyes of horses with recurrent uveitis.
Vet Ophthalmol, 15(3), 145-152.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00951.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, 501 D.W. Brooks Drive, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cytokines / genetics
- Cytokines / metabolism
- Eye / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
- Paraffin Embedding
- Th17 Cells / physiology
- Uveitis / metabolism
- Uveitis / veterinary
Citations
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