Abstract
Purpose::
Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a member of superantigens which were delivered from bacteria, viruses and mycoplasmas. Superantigen was known as the most powerful T-cell activators, related to human autoimmune disease induction. In this study, we investigated the effect of SEB in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis.
Methods::
Each of the mice were immunized with a subcutaneous injection of human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) 1-20 emulsified in the same volume of complete Freund’s adjuvant, and then inoculated intra peritoneal with 1.5 µg of pertussis toxin. SEB (200µg) was administered by intravenous injection on day 10 post immunization. In the other experiment, anti-CD4 antibody (Ab) or anti-CD8 Ab were administered before and after SEB administration. EAU mice were examined every other day for clinical signs. All mice were sacrificed on day 18 post immunization and then histological assessment, IRBP specific T-cell proliferation and cytokine production assay were done.
Results::
EAU disease severity was clinically and histologically enhanced by SEB injection. Anti-CD4 Ab injection inhibited the enhancement induced by SEB but not by anti CD8 Ab injection. Further, IRBP specific T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production was enhanced in SEB injected group.
Conclusions::
The present study indicated that SEB is a factor related to EAU disease severity.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • inflammation