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Home / Equine Research Bank / Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci / Immune responses to retinal autoantigens and peptides in equ...
Investigative ophthalmology & visual science2001; 42(2); 393-398;

Immune responses to retinal autoantigens and peptides in equine recurrent uveitis.

Abstract: To test the hypothesis that autoimmune mechanisms are involved in horses in which equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) develops spontaneously. Methods: Material obtained from horses treated for spontaneous disease by therapeutic routine vitrectomy was analyzed for total IgG content and IgG specific for S-Antigen (S-Ag) and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). The cellular infiltrate of the vitreous was analyzed by differential counts of cytospin preparations and flow cytometry using equine lymphocyte-specific antibodies. Antigen-specific proliferation assays were performed comparing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) with vitreal lymphocytes by stimulation with S-Ag and several S-Ag- and IRBP-derived peptides. Results: The total IgG content of specimens from horses with ERU was very high with great variability among the investigated samples (11.5 +/- 8.0 mg). Autoantibodies to S-Ag or IRBP or both were found in 72% of vitreous specimens from horses with uveitis. The leukocyte infiltrates (up to 2 x 10(8) cells per sample) were dominated by lymphocytes (>90%) in most cases (22/32). Flow cytometry showed that more than 50% of these cells were CD4(+) T cells. In vitro stimulation of vitreal lymphocytes, but not of PBL, showed a strong proliferative response to peptides derived from S-Ag or IRBP in 9 of 12 patients. Conclusions: In the eyes of horses with ERU, IgG antibodies and autoreactive T cells specific for retinal antigens were detected. These results strongly support the hypothesis that ERU is an autoimmune-mediated disease and is highly similar to recurrent uveitis in humans in both clinical and immunologic parameters.
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Publication Date: 2001-02-07 PubMed ID: 11157872
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This study examines the possibility that autoimmune mechanisms play a role in equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), a common and serious eye disease in horses. By analyzing material from horses who have undergone therapeutic routine vitrectomy, researchers identified high levels of IgG antibodies and autoreactive T cells, specific to retinal antigens. The findings support the theory that ERU in horses may indeed result from autoimmune responses.

Autoimmunity Hypothesis in ERU

  • The researchers aimed to test the hypothesis that autoimmune mechanisms could be involved in cases where equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) occurs spontaneously.
  • ERU is a condition characterized by the recurring inflammation of the uveal tract in the horse’s eye, leading to severe visual impairment or blindness.
  • The autoimmune reaction hypothesized here involves the body’s immune system attacking its own cells – in this case, the cells of the horse’s eyes.

Research Methods

  • This research involved obtaining material from horses treated for spontaneous ERU by a procedure known as therapeutic routine vitrectomy.
  • The obtained material was analyzed for total IgG (immune globulin G) content and IgG specific for S-Antigen (S-Ag) and Interphotoreceptor Retinoid-Binding Protein (IRBP). These substances are all linked to immune responses.
  • The researchers also performed antigen-specific proliferation assays to compare the responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) with vitreal lymphocytes when stimulated with S-Ag and several S-Ag- and IRBP-derived peptides.

Results & Conclusions

  • The total IgG content of samples from horses with ERU was found to be very high and varied greatly between samples. Autoantibodies to S-Ag or IRBP, or both, were found in 72% of vitreous samples from horses with uveitis.
  • The leukocyte infiltrates were dominated by lymphocytes in most cases. The researchers also saw more than 50% of these cells were CD4(+) T cells.
  • Strong proliferative responses to peptides derived from S-Ag or IRBP were seen in the in vitro stimulation of vitreal lymphocytes, but not in the peripheral blood lymphocytes.
  • Overall, the study’s findings suggest that ERU in horses might be a disease mediated by the autoimmune system. The detected IgG antibodies and autoreactive T cells in the horse’s eyes strengthen this theory.
  • These findings also highlight the similarity of ERU in horses to recurrent uveitis in humans, both clinically and immunologically.

Cite This Article

APA
Deeg CA, Kaspers B, Gerhards H, Thurau SR, Wollanke B, Wildner G. (2001). Immune responses to retinal autoantigens and peptides in equine recurrent uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 42(2), 393-398.

Publication

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
ISSN: 0146-0404
NlmUniqueID: 7703701
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 42
Issue: 2
Pages: 393-398

Researcher Affiliations

Deeg, C A
  • Institute of Animal Physiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany. deeg@tiph.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de
Kaspers, B
    Gerhards, H
      Thurau, S R
        Wollanke, B
          Wildner, G

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antibody Formation
            • Arrestin / immunology
            • Autoantibodies / analysis
            • Autoantigens / immunology
            • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
            • Autoimmune Diseases / surgery
            • Autoimmune Diseases / veterinary
            • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
            • Eye Proteins
            • Flow Cytometry / veterinary
            • Horse Diseases / immunology
            • Horse Diseases / surgery
            • Horses
            • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
            • Immunophenotyping / veterinary
            • Lymphocyte Activation
            • Peptide Fragments / immunology
            • Recurrence
            • Retina / immunology
            • Retinol-Binding Proteins / immunology
            • Uveitis / immunology
            • Uveitis / surgery
            • Uveitis / veterinary
            • Vitrectomy / veterinary
            • Vitreous Body / cytology
            • Vitreous Body / immunology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 24 times.
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