ECTOPIC EXPRESSION OF GAMMA-INTERFERON IN THE EYES OF TRANSGENIC MICEINDUCES OCULAR PATHOLOGY AND MHC CLASS-II GENE-EXPRESSION

Purpose. To direct the expression of gamma IFN to the eyes of transgen ic mice as a means of investigating the possible role of this lymphoki ne in ocular pathogenesis. Methods. Transgenic mouse strains were gene rated by injection of a DNA fragment containing the murine alpha A-cry stallin promoter fused to the coding sequence of murine gamma IFN gene . PCR and RT-PCR were used to screen for the presence of the transgene and mRNA analyses, respectively. Methacrylate-embedded eye sections w ere analyzed for morphology and cryosections for immunoperoxidase anti body staining. Results. The most notable effects of gamma IFN in these transgenic mice include cataract, microphthalmia, blepharophimosis, m icrophakia, impairment of lens fiber formation, arrest of retinal diff erentiation, serous retinal detachment with presence of macrophages in the subretinal space, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, and c orneal vascularization. MHC class II mRNA levels were significantly in creased in the transgenic eyes and MHC class II proteins were expresse d in their cornea, iris, ciliary body, choroid, lens and RPE.