PubMedDate not supplied
Adult albino rabbits were immunized with bovine retina and complete Freund's adjuvant by the intradermal route. Blood was obtained by complete bleeding of the rabbits and stored at -20 degrees C. Their eyes were enucleated and submitted to histopathological techniques. Humoral antiretinal antibodies were detected by Ouchterlony, immunoelectrophoresis and crossed-immunoelectrophoresis, yielding precipitins presumably of the IgG type. Sensitized lymphocytes were also detected by their incubation with the retinal extract and the soluble fractions belonging to the peaks no 1 and no 2 ("S antigen") in the MIF and TTL techniques. The whole extract was passed through a Sephadex G 100 and DEAE cellulose columns and several soluble fractions were obtained. Two major protein peaks were detected (no 1 and no 2) that were subdivided into five other protein peaks (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C). Sugars were not present and molecular weights were 50,000 daltons for peak no 2 and higher than 66.000 for peak no 1. The whole protein content of the extract and of the different soluble fractions were established by the Lowry method. Histopathological studies revealed extensive lesions of the uveal tract consisting of a cellular infiltrate rich in lymphocytes and monocytes. Increased vascularization of retina was also appreciated. This experimental model represents a guide in the approach to the human uveitis of unknown origin whose immunological findings will be presented in a forthcoming issue.