Immunopharmacological analysis of endotoxin-induced uveitis in the rat.

Footpad injection of endotoxin causes exclusive ocular inflammation in the rat. In order to clarify its physiopathologic mechanism, we studied the effect of different treatments on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Salmonella endotoxin was injected into the footpads of Lewis rats. 18 hr later, inflammation was assessed by evaluating proteins and cells in the anterior chamber; arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4, as well as substance P were measured by radioimmunoassay, and Ia-(MHC class II)-antigen expression in ciliary body was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The effect of inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (EPC), of lipoxygenase (azelastine) and of cyclo-oxygenase (diclofenac), as well as dexamethasone, cyclosporine (CsA) and anti-Ia antibody, were evaluated on these parameters. Phospholipase A2 inhibitor EPC and dexamethasone were most effective on inflammation: they also reduced AA metabolites very effectively and prevented Ia-expression. Lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors were partially effective on inflammation and on AA metabolites but failed to prevent Ia-expression. Immunosuppressive treatments (CsA and anti-Ia-antibody) also reduced inflammation. Our findings suggest that inflammation mediators initiate inflammation in EIU. Ia-Ag-expression is secondarily produced by mediators leading to additional inflammation due to immune mediated mechanisms.