Abstract
Purpose::
We investigated the therapeutic effects of monoclonal anti-TNF antibody(infliximab) on experimental anterior uveitis.
Methods::
Twenty New Zealand White rabbits were immunized with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra antigen and the rabbits were challenged with intravitreal injection of tuberculin antigen to introduce an uveitis. Then infliximab was injected into rabbit eyes at intravenous concentration of 5 mg/kg and intravitreal concentrations of 1 mg/0.1mL and 100 microg/0.1mL. As control, the vehicle was injected both intravenously and intravitreally. To evaluate the therapeutic effects, inflammation was assessed by slitlamp biomicroscopy and scored according to the severity of inflammation. The animals were also evaluated by electroretinography and histopathology .
Results::
Regardless of the administration route, inflammatory activities of anterior chamber and engorgement of vascular structures were reduced in infliximab treated group compared to control. Different administration route and different concentration of infliximab did not affect the therapeutic outcome of clinical scoring. Intravenous(5 mg/kg) and intravitreal diluted(100 microg/0.1mL) infliximab injection groups showed significant improvement in electroretinographic findings(p<.05) and significant reduction of inflammatory cells with preservation of retinal tissue architecture on histopathologic examination. However, in rabbits at intravitreal concentration of 1 mg/0.1mL, occasional focal retinal necroses, suggesting isolated retinal toxicity were observed.
Conclusions::
Our observation suggests intravenous(5 mg/kg) and intravitreal diluted(100 microg/0.1mL) infliximab treatment can effectively suppress ocular inflammation without retinal toxicity in experimental uveitis model in rabbits.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • drug toxicity/drug effects • inflammation