Abstract
Purpose: :
As the sclera comprises type II collagen, scleritis is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We have previously reported the establishment of an anterior scleritis model through modification of a collagen-induced arthritis model. The present study conducted ocular immunological analysis in this same model to investigate the scleritis pathology.
Methods: :
Arthritis and anterior scleritis were induced in 8-week-old DBA/1J mice via subcutaneous injection of bovine type II collagen emulsified with complete Freund’s adjuvant into the posterior neck (primary immunization) and 21 days later into the periocular region (secondary immunization). Eyeballs were excised at 3, 5 and 8 weeks after secondary immunization and analyzed histologically and immunohistologically.
Results: :
Clinical findings comprised severe arthritis and dilation of scleral blood vessels. Anterior scleral thickening was observed histologically, with significantly more inflammatory infiltrating cells in the anterior sclera compared to control mice. Infiltration of CD4+ and CD11b+ cells was observed, but no CD11c+ cells were present, while deposition of plasma cells (CD138), complement (C3) and immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) was particularly evident in the region of the anterior sclera in contact with the ciliary body.
Conclusions: :
T cells, macrophages, plasma cells, complement and immunoglobulins were present in the sclera of the collagen-induced anterior scleritis model, suggesting the involvement of immunocomplex deposition in the induced scleritis of the present model.
Keywords: autoimmune disease • sclera • uveitis-clinical/animal model