S-antigen uveitis in primates. A new model for human disease.

Uveitis was induced rhesus monkeys immunized with purified retinal S-antigen. Focal retinal and subretinal infiltration, in addition to periphlebitic changes, were observed histologically. Immunized monkeys had similar cell-mediated in vitro immune responses to the S-antigen as do humans with posterior uveitis. Circulating immune complexes at the time of disease could not be detected. This primate model supports the notion that the S-antigen may play a role in human uveitis.