A New Procedure for Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis with Small Uveitogenic Peptides

Purpose: Demonstration of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) with extremely small, fragmented peptides (12–30 amino acid residues) of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRPB). Method: Very small fragmented peptides (no. 854, 888, 907, and 1057) were conjugated to heat-killed Group A Streptococcus cells and administered as a single intravenous injection to Lewis rats. A non-uveitogenic peptide 950 was also conjugated to heat-killed Streptococcus and administered. Administration of a mixture of small peptides and Streptococcus was a control for the peptides conjugated with Streptococcus. Results: The uveitogenic peptide/Streptococcus conjugates produced uveitis inflammatory responses in the uvea, retina and pineal gland. Administration of mixtures of small peptides and Streptococcus cells, and a non-uveitogenic peptide 950 conjugated with Streptococcus did not produce autoimmune uveitis. Conclusions: Since mixtures of small uveitogenic peptides and Streptococcal cells did not develop autoimmune...