ROLE OF ICAM-1 AND LFA-1 IN ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED UVEITIS IN MICE

The effect of monoclonal antibodies against adhesion molecules on the development of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) and interleukin-1 (IL-1 )-enhanced EIU were studied. When endotoxin or IL-1 was injected into C3H/HeN mice, the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICA M-1) on the ciliary body was up-regulated as determined by immunohisto chemical assay. However, these agents did not alter lymphocyte functio n-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) expression on leukocytes when whole blo od cells were analyzed with flow cytometry. Monoclonal anti-ICAM-1 ant ibody or anti-LFA-1 antibody was intraperitoneally administered to C3H /HeN mice simultaneously with endotoxin, and the effect on the develop ment of EIU was studied. The cell number in aqueous humor and frequenc y of posterior synechiae were markedly decreased in EIU when either an tibody was administered. However, protein concentration in the aqueous humor was not statistically reduced by the injection of these antibod ies. In the model of IL-1-enhanced EIU, not only the cell number and f requency of posterior synechiae but also protein concentration were de creased. Moreover, there were no differences between these two antibod ies in the effect on EIU, whereas anti-LFA-1 antibody was more effecti ve than anti-ICAM-1 antibody in IL-l-enhanced EIU.