Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis in brown Norway rats induced by bovine interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein and renal cryosurgery.

In Brown Norway (BN) rats, it is known to be difficult to induce experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) by the injection of retinal S-antigen (S-Ag) or interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) together with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), unless intravenous Bordetella Pertussis is used as an additional adjuvant. In the present study it was found that the rate of onset of EAU could be increased in BN rats immunized with IRBP and CFA by simultaneous cryosurgery to the renal cortex. There was no evidence of retinal vasculitis, pinealitis or nephritis in the rats with EAU except for renal inflammatory infiltrates as a reaction to the cryosurgery. Affected eyes eventually showed destruction of most retinal components and prominent infiltration of the retina by macrophages, with the changes being more severe than those previously reported in Lewis rats with EAU induced by IRBP. Data suggesting the existence of an antibody that cross-reacts with the proximal renal tubules and the retinal pigment epithelium were also obtained.