Waldon B. Wacker

Localization of a Uveitogenic Soluble Retinal Antigen in the Normal Guinea Pig Eye by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Since immunization of guinea pigs with homologous retina can elicit experimental allergic uveitis concomitant with development of tissue specific antibodies, an attempt was made to localize a uveitoge

Patterns of Experimental Allergic Uveitis Induced by Rhodopsin and Retinal Rod Outer Segments

We have observed that both washed outer segments and purified rhodopsin produce primarily a posterior uveitis with little or no anterior segment inflammation if an effort is made to remove all contaminating soluble retinal antigen. The differences in the immunopathologic responses to rhodopsin compared to soluble retinal antigen may be explained by the solubility difference between these antigens. With the soluble retinal antigen there may be anterior segment inflammation and diffuse tissue necrosis. The allergic response to rhodopsin appears to be confined to the posterior segment with tissue necrosis in severe cases restricted to the anatomic distribution of rhodopsin in the outer retina.

Immunopathologic Responses of Rabbits to Retinal ‘s’ Antigen

Experimental allergic uveitis induced in rabbits with purified ‘s’ antigen has dose-dependent features similar to the disease in guinea pigs. Unlike guinea pigs and other species the uveitis induced by ‘s’ antigen in rabbits demonstrates minimal anterior segment inflammation possibly because the rabbit is unique among mammals in having no anterior ciliary vessels, and few anastamoses between anterior segment and choroidal circulation.

Autoimmune Uveo-Retinitis in the Rat Sensitized with Retina Photoreceptor Cell Antigen

Although uveitis has been widely identified as the main feature of the autoimmune disease produced in several vertebrate species immunized with retina, the present study shows that retinitis is the main feature of the disease in rats. These species differences can be correlated with species differences in intraocular vascularization, and the hematogenous pathways by which the inflammatory cells reach the ocular target. Results in the rat show that the retinal circulation is the source of inflammatory infiltrates which moved progressively from the inner vascular to the outer avascular layers of the retina and destroyed the photoreceptor cells, the retina structure with which the pathogenic antigen has been identified by fluorescent antibody staining.

Rabbit ocular and pineal autoimmune response to retina antigens

Different forms of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) can be produced by varying protocols to present different autoantigens to several species of experimental animal. We have studied the clinical, histological and serological responses of rabbits to footpad injection of various fractions of retina extract. Rabbits injected with retina extract or S antigen developed posterior uveitis. However, rabbits injected with retina extract, also developed an anterior uveitis and pinealitis not seen in rabbits receiving S antigen. The Serological response of rabbits to retina extract was different than that to purified S antigen. Antisera of rabbits receiving retina extract reacted with rabbit retina and pineal gland as well as with guinea pig retina but not with guinea pig pineal gland. In contrast anti-S antigen sera reacted with rabbit retina and guinea pig retina and pineal gland but not with rabbit pineal gland. Gel filtration chromatography of the ammonium sulfate supernate of retina extract was used to differentiate the antigens with which these two sera reacted. An analysis of these experiments gives preliminary evidence of an autoantigen(s) of rabbit retina and pineal gland that is not S antigen. The existence of multiple autoantigens common to retina and pineal gland in various species is significant in that it further underscores the relationship of these tissues. Furthermore, it is not unrealistic to expect more than one autoantigen of retina or uvea to be involved in autoimmune uveitis.

Antibody Production in the Guinea Pig to Homologous Uvea.

Summary The immune response of guinea pigs to homologous uvea was studied, using various periods of immunization and the complement fixation test for detection of antibody. Injections over relatively long periods of time with uveal emulsions led to both antibody production and ocular lesions. Demonstrable antibody and ocular lesions were not found on short term immunization. The antigen herein described was both organ and species specific, in contrast to other uveal organ specific antigens previously described which are heterogenetic.

Use of Immunofluorescent Localization in the Normal Guinea Pig Eye to Differentiate Three Autoantisera

Three distinct immunofluorescent patterns were demonstrated in normal guinea pig eyes by autoantisera prepared to three different ocular tissue preparations. Anti-U serum (antiserum to ureal homogenate) exhibited specific fluorescence in the area of Bruchs membrane. Anti-P serum (antiserum to a suspension of the sedimentable portion of retina homogenate) exhibited specific fluorescence in the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells. Anti-S serum (antiserum to retinal homogenate extract) demonstrated specific fluorescence in the outer portion of the retina extending from the outer plexiform layer to the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells. The ability of anti-S and anti-P sera immunofluorescent activities to cross species lines was demonstrated.

Relationship of the Primary and Secondary Immune Response to Induction and Relapse of Experimental Allergic Uveitis with Retina Antigen

The initial injection of guinea pigs with homologous retina led to uveitis of maximal severity within 3–4 weeks which slowly diminished in intensity with time, but was still present at 20 weeks. Compl

Protective Effect of Intravenous Mumps Vaccine in Early Neonatal Mice.

Summary A striking degree of protection from fatal mumps encephalitis is afforded mice if they are injected intravenously with mumps vaccine when less than 4 hours old. A less marked but very significant degree of protection is also afforded by influenza vaccine used in this same way, but none at all using the formalin diluent alone. With advancing age above the four-hour group this sparing effect diminishes. These results may be due to combined effects of viral interference and antibody production.