IMMUNOMODULATION OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE UVEORETINITIS - A MODEL OF TOLERANCE INDUCTION WITH RETINAL ANTIGEN

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) is a CD4+ T-lymphocyte med iated inflammation of the uveal tract and retina. As a model of human posterior uveitis it permits further understanding of the underlying i mmunopathogenesis of uveitis. It also allows for preclinical trials of immunosuppressive therapies and in vivo assessment of alternative str ategies for immunointervention. This review highlights possible immuno strategic modalities which prevent the initiation or perpetuation of t he immune response, and in particular reports on the novel effect of i ntranasal induction of tolerance with retinal antigens, prior to immun isation with retinal antigens. The mechanisms and potential applicatio n of this 'natural' method of immunosuppression in the treatment of au toimmune disease are discussed.