Rat models of autoimmune uveitis

Experimental autoimmune uveitis ( EAU) in Lewis rats is a
well-established model for human uveitis. During the last years we
used this model to demonstrate extraocular induction of uveitis by
antigenic mimicry of environmental antigens with retinal
autoantigen and investigated the migration and intraocular
reactivation of autoreactive green fluorescent protein ( GFP)+ T
cells. We could also elaborate several differences between EAU
induced with S-antigen peptide PDSAg or R14, a peptide derived from
interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein, suggesting two
differently regulated diseases in the same rat strain. R14-mediated
EAU in Lewis rats has been shown to relapse, thus we have a new
model to test therapeutic approaches in an ongoing immune response
instead of just preventing disease. Finally, we show antigenic
mimicry of PDSAg and an HLA-B peptide for oral tolerance induction.
After the successful first therapeutic trial this approach will now
proceed with international multicenter clinical trials. Copyright
(c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.