Abstract
Purpose: :
Cell adhesion molecules are surface proteins important for cell migration and adhesion. They are strongly expressed in eyes with inflammation. In this study, we have investigated the retinal expression of VCAM1 in an adoptive transfer model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).
Methods: :
C57Bl6 mice were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) peptide 1-20. Activated IRBP-specific T cells were prepared from their draining lymph nodes and spleens, cultured with IRBP peptide 1-20 and adoptively transferred in C57BL/6 mice. The animals were sacrified after 3 weeks and the eyes were serially examined for expression of VCAM-1 using immunofluorescence staining and confocal analysis. The severity of the disease was determined by histological grading. Co-labelings with GFAP (glial cells markers) endoglin (endothelial cell marker) and recoverin were also performed in order to determine which cell type expressed VCAM-1.
Results: :
In eyes with low grade uveitis, VCAM-1 was only expressed at certain locations of the internal limiting membranes and epithelial cells of the ciliary body. In correlation with disease severity, the staining was extended to all the limiting membranes, vessels with vasculitis, Müller cells extension and RPE cells. VCAM-1 expression on the inner limiting membrane and Müller cells extension co-stained with GFAP. On vessels with vasculitis , VCAM-1 expression co-localized with either GFAP or endoglin.
Conclusions: :
VCAM-1 is expressed on retinal cells forming the blood retinal barrier during EAU. Moreover, the intensity and extension of its expression correlates with disease severity. Those data suggest that VCAM-1 plays an important role in EAU development.
Keywords: autoimmune disease • retina • immunohistochemistry