[Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis and pinealitis in Lewis rats induced by varied doses of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein].

Lewis rats were immunized with varied doses of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a potent uveitogenic antigen. Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) and experimental autoimmune pinealitis (EAP) were induced with 25 micrograms and 50 micrograms of IRBP respectively. The EAU and EAP models provide useful means for investigating the pathogenetic mechanism of human uveoretinitis and its involvement with the nervous system.