Humoral and cellular immune response to uveal and joint tissue antigens.

The antigens of uveal and joint tissues were investigated in view of the close association between anterior non-granulomatous uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis. Numerous antigenic determinants common to the uvea, the synovail membrane and articular cartilage were demonstrated using soluble and semi-particulate tissue extracts. No circulating auto-anti-uveal or joint tissue antigens could be detected in the sera of patients with anterior non-granulomatous uveitis or ankylosing spondylitis. Cellular hypersensitivity to uvea-retina antigens was present, however, in non-granulomatous uveitis. In ankylosing spondylitis this hypersensitivity was directed against synovial membrane antigens. In rheumatoid arthritis the hypersensitivity was directed against all three tissues (uvea-retina, synovial membrane, articular cartilage). The significance of these findings is discussed.