Skip to main content
NCBI home page
The British Journal of Ophthalmology logoLink to The British Journal of Ophthalmology
. 1998 Jan;82(1):91–96. doi: 10.1136/bjo.82.1.91

Immunopathology of uveitis

C CHAN, Q LI
PMCID: PMC1722343  PMID: 9536890

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (161.2 KB).

Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

Open in a new tab

Microphotograph of the choroid from an eye with sympathetic ophthalmia shows positive IL-2 mRNA (A, arrows) and negative IL-4 mRNA (B) released by the infiltrating lymphocytes. (Asterisk, granuloma; in situ hybridisation, riboprobes-dioxygenin labelling, methyl green counterstain, × 280.)

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

Open in a new tab

Microphotograph of the choroid from an eye with Behçet's disease shows positive IFN-γ mRNA (arrows) released by the infiltrating cells. The pigmented cells are the melanocytes in the choroid (in situ hybridisation, riboprobes-dioxygenin labelling, methyl green counterstain, × 280).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Allansmith M. R., Baird R. S., Bloch K. J. Degranulation of ocular mast cells in rats undergoing systemic anaphylaxis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1980 Dec;19(12):1521–1524. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Allansmith M. R., Baird R. S., Greiner J. V. Vernal conjunctivitis and contact lens-associated giant papillary conjunctivitis compared and contrasted. Am J Ophthalmol. 1979 Apr;87(4):544–555. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(79)90247-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Barnathan E. S., Raghunath P. N., Tomaszewski J. E., Ganz T., Cines D. B., Higazi A al-R Immunohistochemical localization of defensin in human coronary vessels. Am J Pathol. 1997 Mar;150(3):1009–1020. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Barton K., McLauchlan M. T., Calder V. L., Lightman S. The kinetics of cytokine mRNA expression in the retina during experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis. Cell Immunol. 1995 Aug;164(1):133–140. doi: 10.1006/cimm.1995.1152. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Ben Ezra D., Forrester J. V. Fundal white dots: the spectrum of a similar pathological process. Br J Ophthalmol. 1995 Sep;79(9):856–860. doi: 10.1136/bjo.79.9.856. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Benestad H. B., Laerum O. D. The neutrophilic granulocyte. Curr Top Pathol. 1989;79:7–36. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-73855-5_2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Boisgerault F., Khalil I., Tieng V., Connan F., Tabary T., Cohen J. H., Choppin J., Charron D., Toubert A. Definition of the HLA-A29 peptide ligand motif allows prediction of potential T-cell epitopes from the retinal soluble antigen, a candidate autoantigen in birdshot retinopathy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Apr 16;93(8):3466–3470. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.8.3466. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Broekhuyse R. M., Kuhlmann E. D., Winkens H. J., Van Vugt A. H. Experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU), a new form of experimental uveitis. I. Induction by a detergent-insoluble, intrinsic protein fraction of the retinal pigment epithelium. Exp Eye Res. 1991 Apr;52(4):465–474. doi: 10.1016/0014-4835(91)90044-f. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Carson D. A., Ribeiro J. M. Apoptosis and disease. Lancet. 1993 May 15;341(8855):1251–1254. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(93)91154-e. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Caspi R. R., Roberge F. G., Nussenblatt R. B. Organ-resident, nonlymphoid cells suppress proliferation of autoimmune T-helper lymphocytes. Science. 1987 Aug 28;237(4818):1029–1032. doi: 10.1126/science.2956685. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Chan C. C., BenEzra D., Hsu S. M., Palestine A. G., Nussenblatt R. B. Granulomas in sympathetic ophthalmia and sarcoidosis. Immunohistochemical study. Arch Ophthalmol. 1985 Feb;103(2):198–202. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1985.01050020050017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Chan C. C., Benezra D., Rodrigues M. M., Palestine A. G., Hsu S. M., Murphree A. L., Nussenblatt R. B. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy of choroidal infiltrates and Dalen-Fuchs nodules in sympathetic ophthalmia. Ophthalmology. 1985 Apr;92(4):580–590. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)34006-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Chan C. C., Hikita N., Dastgheib K., Whitcup S. M., Gery I., Nussenblatt R. B. Experimental melanin-protein-induced uveitis in the Lewis rat. Immunopathologic processes. Ophthalmology. 1994 Jul;101(7):1275–1280. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(94)31199-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Chan C. C., Hooks J. J., Nussenblatt R. B., Detrick B. Expression of Ia antigen on retinal pigment epithelium in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis. Curr Eye Res. 1986 Apr;5(4):325–330. doi: 10.3109/02713688609020059. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Chan C. C., Nussenblatt R. B., Fujikawa L. S., Palestine A. G., Stevens G., Jr, Parver L. M., Luckenbach M. W., Kuwabara T. Sympathetic ophthalmia. Immunopathological findings. Ophthalmology. 1986 May;93(5):690–695. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(86)33694-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Chan C. C., Palestine A. G., Kuwabara T., Nussenblatt R. B. Immunopathologic study of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol. 1988 Jun 15;105(6):607–611. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(88)90052-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Chan C. C., Palestine A. G., Nussenblatt R. B., Roberge F. G., Benezra D. Anti-retinal auto-antibodies in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, Behcet's disease, and sympathetic ophthalmia. Ophthalmology. 1985 Aug;92(8):1025–1028. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33911-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Chan C. C., Wetzig R. P., Palestine A. G., Kuwabara T., Nusenblatt R. B. Immunohistopathology of ocular sarcoidosis. Report of a case and discussion of immunopathogenesis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1987 Oct;105(10):1398–1402. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1987.01060100100036. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Charteris D. G., Barton K., McCartney A. C., Lightman S. L. CD4+ lymphocyte involvement in ocular Behçet's disease. Autoimmunity. 1992;12(3):201–206. doi: 10.3109/08916939209148460. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Cheung M. K., Martin D. F., Chan C. C., Callanan D. G., Cowan C. L., Nussenblatt R. B. Diagnosis of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia by chorioretinal biopsy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1994 Oct 15;118(4):457–462. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)75796-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Couto M. A., Liu L., Lehrer R. I., Ganz T. Inhibition of intracellular Histoplasma capsulatum replication by murine macrophages that produce human defensin. Infect Immun. 1994 Jun;62(6):2375–2378. doi: 10.1128/iai.62.6.2375-2378.1994. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Doekes G., Luyendijk L., Gerritsen M. J., Kijlstra A. Anti-retinal S-antigen antibodies in human sera: a comparison of reactivity in ELISA with human or bovine S-antigen. Int Ophthalmol. 1992 May;16(3):147–152. doi: 10.1007/BF00916433. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Forrester J. V. Uveitis: pathogenesis. Lancet. 1991 Dec 14;338(8781):1498–1501. doi: 10.1016/0140-6736(91)92309-p. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Fujikawa L. S., Chan C. C., McAllister C., Gery I., Hooks J. J., Detrick B., Nussenblatt R. B. Retinal vascular endothelium expresses fibronectin and class II histocompatibility complex antigens in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Cell Immunol. 1987 Apr 15;106(1):139–150. doi: 10.1016/0008-8749(87)90157-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Fukushima A., Lai J. C., Chanaud N. P., 3rd, Shiloach J., Whitcup S. M., Nussenblatt R. B., Gery I. Permissive recognition of immunodominant determinants of the retinal S-antigen in different rat strains, primates and humans. Int Immunol. 1997 Jan;9(1):169–177. doi: 10.1093/intimm/9.1.169. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Galli S. J., Dvorak A. M., Dvorak H. F. Basophils and mast cells: morphologic insights into their biology, secretory patterns, and function. Prog Allergy. 1984;34:1–141. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Gery I., Wiggert B., Redmond T. M., Kuwabara T., Crawford M. A., Vistica B. P., Chader G. J. Uveoretinitis and pinealitis induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1986 Aug;27(8):1296–1300. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Griffith T. S., Brunner T., Fletcher S. M., Green D. R., Ferguson T. A. Fas ligand-induced apoptosis as a mechanism of immune privilege. Science. 1995 Nov 17;270(5239):1189–1192. doi: 10.1126/science.270.5239.1189. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Gupta D., Singh V. K., Rajasingh J., Shinohara T., Misra R., Agarwal S. S. Cellular immune responses of patients with juvenile chronic arthritis to retinal antigens and their synthetic peptides. Immunol Res. 1996;15(1):74–83. doi: 10.1007/BF02918285. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Helbig H., Gurley R. C., Palestine A. G., Nussenblatt R. B., Caspi R. R. Dual effect of ciliary body cells on T lymphocyte proliferation. Eur J Immunol. 1990 Nov;20(11):2457–2463. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830201115. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Hoefakker S., Boersma W. J., Claassen E. Detection of human cytokines in situ using antibody and probe based methods. J Immunol Methods. 1995 Sep 25;185(2):149–175. doi: 10.1016/0022-1759(95)00122-q. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Holland E. J., Chan C. C., Kuwabara T., Palestine A. G., Rowsey J. J., Nussenblatt R. B. Immunohistologic findings and results of treatment with cyclosporine in ligneous conjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1989 Feb 15;107(2):160–166. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(89)90216-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Hooper P., Bora N. S., Kaplan H. J., Ferguson T. A. Inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation by resident ocular cells. Curr Eye Res. 1991 Apr;10(4):363–372. doi: 10.3109/02713689108996342. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Inomata H., Sakamoto T. Immunohistochemical studies of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease with sunset sky fundus. Curr Eye Res. 1990;9 (Suppl):35–40. doi: 10.3109/02713689008999417. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Kaplan H. J., Meredith T. A., Aaberg T. M., Keller R. H. Reclassification of intraocular reticulum cell sarcoma (histiocytic lymphoma). Immunologic characterization of vitreous cells. Arch Ophthalmol. 1980 Apr;98(4):707–710. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1980.01020030701010. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Kawashima H., Prasad S. A., Gregerson D. S. Corneal endothelial cells inhibit T cell proliferation by blocking IL-2 production. J Immunol. 1994 Sep 1;153(5):1982–1989. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Kim M. C., Kabeer N. H., Tandhasetti M. T., Kaplan H. J., Bora N. S. Immunohistochemical studies on melanin associated antigen (MAA) induced experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU). Curr Eye Res. 1995 Aug;14(8):703–710. doi: 10.3109/02713689508998498. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Kim M. K., Chan C. C., Belfort R., Jr, Farah M., Burnier M. P., Nussenblatt R. B., Kuwabara T., Palestine A. G. Histopathologic and immunohistopathologic features of subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol. 1987 Jul 15;104(1):15–23. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(87)90287-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Kim M. K., Chan C. C., Nussenblatt R. B., Palestine A. G. Pharmacologic effects on the expression of class II histocompatibility antigen in experimental endotoxin-induced uveitis. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1987 Oct;45(1):70–77. doi: 10.1016/0090-1229(87)90113-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. La Hey E., Broersma L., van der Gaag R., Baarsma G. S., Rothova A., Kijlstra A. Does autoimmunity to S-antigen play a role in Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis? Br J Ophthalmol. 1993 Jul;77(7):436–439. doi: 10.1136/bjo.77.7.436. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Li Q., Fujino Y., Caspi R. R., Najafian F., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C. Association between mast cells and the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis in different rat strains. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1992 Dec;65(3):294–299. doi: 10.1016/0090-1229(92)90160-p. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Li Q., Luyo D., Hikita N., Whitcup S. M., Chan C. C. Compound 48/80-induced conjunctivitis in the mouse: kinetics, susceptibility, and mechanism. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1996 Mar;109(3):277–285. doi: 10.1159/000237250. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Li Q., Whitcup S. M., Fujino Y., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C. The role of mast cells in endotoxin-induced uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993 Jan;34(1):256–259. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Loewenfeld I. E., Thompson H. S. Fuchs's heterochromic cyclitis: A critical review of the literature. I. Clinical characteristics of the syndrome. Surv Ophthalmol. 1973 May-Jun;17(6):394–457. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Lopez J. S., Chan C. C., Burnier M., Rubin B., Nussenblatt R. B. Immunohistochemistry findings in primary intraocular lymphoma. Am J Ophthalmol. 1991 Oct 15;112(4):472–474. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)76269-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Lopez J. S., Price F. W., Jr, Whitcup S. M., Li Q., de Smet M., Chan C. C. Immunohistochemistry of Terrien's and Mooren's corneal degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 1991 Jul;109(7):988–992. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1991.01080070100045. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Lynch D. H., Ramsdell F., Alderson M. R. Fas and FasL in the homeostatic regulation of immune responses. Immunol Today. 1995 Dec;16(12):569–574. doi: 10.1016/0167-5699(95)80079-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Mosmann T. R., Schumacher J. H., Street N. F., Budd R., O'Garra A., Fong T. A., Bond M. W., Moore K. W., Sher A., Fiorentino D. F. Diversity of cytokine synthesis and function of mouse CD4+ T cells. Immunol Rev. 1991 Oct;123:209–229. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-065x.1991.tb00612.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Nork T. M., Ghobrial M. W., Peyman G. A., Tso M. O. Massive retinal gliosis. A reactive proliferation of Müller cells. Arch Ophthalmol. 1986 Sep;104(9):1383–1389. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1986.01050210137041. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Nussenblatt R. B., Gery I., Ballintine E. J., Wacker W. B. Cellular immune responsiveness of uveitis patients to retinal S-antigen. Am J Ophthalmol. 1980 Feb;89(2):173–179. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(80)90108-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Nussenblatt R. B., Mittal K. K., Ryan S., Green W. R., Maumenee A. E. Birdshot retinochoroidopathy associated with HLA-A29 antigen and immune responsiveness to retinal S-antigen. Am J Ophthalmol. 1982 Aug;94(2):147–158. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(82)90069-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Nussenblatt R. B. Proctor Lecture. Experimental autoimmune uveitis: mechanisms of disease and clinical therapeutic indications. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1991 Dec;32(13):3131–3141. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Palestine A. G., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C., Hooks J. J., Friedman L., Kuwabara T. Histopathology of the subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome. Ophthalmology. 1985 Jun;92(6):838–844. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33969-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Pederson J. E., Kenyon K. R., Green W. R., Maumenee A. E. Pathology of pars planitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1978 Dec;86(6):762–774. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(78)90118-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Roberge F. G., Caspi R. R., Nussenblatt R. B. Glial retinal Müller cells produce IL-1 activity and have a dual effect on autoimmune T helper lymphocytes. Antigen presentation manifested after removal of suppressive activity. J Immunol. 1988 Apr 1;140(7):2193–2196. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Sabates R., Smith T., Apple D. Ocular histopathology in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Ophthalmol. 1979 May;11(5):733–737. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Sakamoto T., Murata T., Inomata H. Class II major histocompatibility complex on melanocytes of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. Arch Ophthalmol. 1991 Sep;109(9):1270–1274. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1991.01080090096030. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Staines N. A., Harper N. Oral tolerance in the control of experimental models of autoimmune disease. Z Rheumatol. 1995 May-Jun;54(3):145–154. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Stevens G., Jr, Chan C. C., Wetzig R. P., Nussenblatt R. B., Palestine A. G. Iris lymphocytic infiltration in patients with clinically quiescent uveitis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1987 Nov 15;104(5):508–515. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)74109-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Wacker W. B., Donoso L. A., Kalsow C. M., Yankeelov J. A., Jr, Organisciak D. T. Experimental allergic uveitis. Isolation, characterization, and localization of a soluble uveitopathogenic antigen from bovine retina. J Immunol. 1977 Dec;119(6):1949–1958. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Weller P. F. The immunobiology of eosinophils. N Engl J Med. 1991 Apr 18;324(16):1110–1118. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199104183241607. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Wetzig R. P., Chan C. C., Nussenblatt R. B., Palestine A. G., Mazur D. O., Mittal K. K. Clinical and immunopathological studies of pars planitis in a family. Br J Ophthalmol. 1988 Jan;72(1):5–10. doi: 10.1136/bjo.72.1.5. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Wetzig R., Hooks J. J., Percopo C. M., Nussenblatt R., Chan C. C., Detrick B. Anti-Ia antibody diminishes ocular inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Curr Eye Res. 1988 Aug;7(8):809–818. doi: 10.3109/02713688809033212. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Whitcup S. M., Chan C. C., Li Q., Nussenblatt R. B. Expression of cell adhesion molecules in posterior uveitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1992 May;110(5):662–666. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1992.01080170084029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  65. Whitcup S. M., DeBarge L. R., Caspi R. R., Harning R., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C. Monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 (CD54) and LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) inhibit experimental autoimmune uveitis. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1993 May;67(2):143–150. doi: 10.1006/clin.1993.1057. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  66. Whitcup S. M., DeBarge L. R., Rosen H., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C. Monoclonal antibody against CD11b/CD18 inhibits endotoxin-induced uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993 Mar;34(3):673–681. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  67. Whitcup S. M., Wakefield D., Li Q., Nussenblatt R. B., Chan C. C. Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 in endotoxin-induced uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1992 Aug;33(9):2626–2630. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  68. Wildner G., Thurau S. R. Cross-reactivity between an HLA-B27-derived peptide and a retinal autoantigen peptide: a clue to major histocompatibility complex association with autoimmune disease. Eur J Immunol. 1994 Nov;24(11):2579–2585. doi: 10.1002/eji.1830241103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The British Journal of Ophthalmology are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES