Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in mice (Biozzi ABH and NOD) expressing the autoimmune-associated H-2A(g7) molecule: identification of a uveitogenic epitope

To determine whether Biozzi ABH (H-2A(g7)) Mice Were susceptible to chronic experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Biozzi ABH were immunized wit h the two retinal antigens. interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IR BP) and soluble antigen (S-Ag). Biozzi ABH mice were found to be susceptibl e to EAU induction with native bovine IRBP. Recombinant protein domains wer e used to identify IRBP domain 2 (EcR2) as the uveitogenic domain. Histopat hological examination indicated that EcR2-induced disease was of a chronic, non-destructive nature in the Biozzi ABH. Using synthetic overlapping pept ides corresponding to EcR2, a uveitogenic and immunogenic epitope was ident ified corresponding to human IRBP511-530. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice sha re the same MHC class II (H-2A(g7)) molecule as the Biozzi ABH. and were al so found to be susceptible to EAU induction with EcR2. This study has ident ified a novel mouse model of EAU. whereby disease is of a chronic, non-dest ructive nature. which has potential to be used in immune manipulation and n europrotection studies. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.