The role of uveal and retinal antigens in experimental autoimmune ocular pathology.

Guinea pigs immunized with retina antigen, located by immunofluorescence in the photoreceptor cell layers, develop retina-specific immune responses and autoimmune uveoretinitis. Ocular pathology is characterized by cellular infiltration and destruction of the photoreceptor cells subsequent to inflammation of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Guinea pigs immunized with homologous choroid antigen, localized by immunofluorenscence in the area of Bruch's membrane or pigment epithelium, developed choroiditis, subretinal exudation and loss of photoreceptor outer segments. The pathology is associated with immune responses directed primarily against antigens recovered with choroid, but which demonstrated partial cross reactions with outer segment antigens. Possible relationship of uveal and retinal antigens is discussed.