Role of PU.1 Expression as an Inflammatory Marker in Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis.

Purpose: PU.1 is an Ets family transcription factor, which is essential for the development of immune system through generation of myeloid and lymphoid lineages. In this study, we investigated PU.

Clinical Profile of Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Seropositive Cases of Optic Neuritis.

We have studied the clinical picture of anti-aquaporin antibody (AQP4-Ab)- and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab)-positive optic neuritis. However, optic neuritis associated with MOG-Abs has not been elucidated using new methods such as cell-based assay. Hence, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on its clinical profile.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone suppresses experimental autoimmune uveitis.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonists are clinically used as anti-diabetes agents. Recent research has discovered that an anti-inflammatory effect of PPAR agonist may have the potential to treat autoimmune disease. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of PPAR-γ agonist, pioglitazone, on murine model of endogenous uveitis.

Suppression of experimental autoimmune optic neuritis by the novel agent fingolimod.

Purpose: Fingolimod is an immunomodulating agent that has been approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Fingolimod-phosphate is an antagonist of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor and known to act by preventing infiltration of autoreactive lymphocytes into the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated whether fingolimod prevents experimental autoimmune optic neuritis (EAON).

Interleukin-10 gene-transfected mature dendritic cells suppress murine experimental autoimmune optic neuritis.

Purpose: We have reported that calcitonin gene-related peptide gene-transfected mature dendritic cells (mDC) suppress murine experimental autoimmune optic neuritis (EAON) and experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) via interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. In our study, we examined whether IL-10-transfected mDC prevent development of EAON and EAE.

Methods: A plasmid expressing mouse IL-10 was constructed and used to transfect C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow-derived mDC by electroporation methods.

Visual functional and histopathological correlation in experimental autoimmune optic neuritis.

Purpose: To elucidate the correlation between visual threshold of optokinetic tracking (OKT), visual evoked potential (VEP), and histopathology at different time points after induction of experimental autoimmune optic neuritis (EAON).

Methods: EAON was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous immunization with an emulsified mixture of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)(35-55) peptide. OKT and VEP were measured on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 42 postimmunization.

Suppression of murine experimental autoimmune optic neuritis by mature dendritic cells transfected with calcitonin gene-related Peptide gene.

Purpose: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) exhibits prominent anti-inflammatory actions. We examined whether CGRP-transfected dendritic cells (DC) prevent the development of experimental autoimmune optic neuritis (EAON) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods: A human CGRP-expressing plasmid was constructed, and used to transfect C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow-derived matured DC (mDC) by electroporation

Methods: Transfection efficiency was 50% with 80% cell viability.

Immune mediators in vitreous fluids from patients with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma.

Purpose: Various immune mediators are hypothesized to have important roles in the pathogenesis of vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear. We determined the immune mediator profile in the vitreous of eyes with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma.

Methods: We studied 28 eyes (23 patients) with vitreoretinal B-cell lymphoma, and 27 eyes (27 patients) undergoing vitrectomy for macular hole and epiretinal membrane served as controls.

Relationship between NMO-antibody and anti-MOG antibody in optic neuritis.

Background: Damage to astrocytes by anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab), also known as NMO antibody, has been implicated as the cause of neuromyelitis optica. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is well known as the causative protein of multiple sclerosis (MS). MOG antigen is currently considered as a cause of optic neuritis (ON) associated with MS because immunization with MOG antigen derived from oligodendrocytes induces murine ON with myelitis.

Expression and function of inducible costimulator on peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in Behçet's patients with uveitis: a new activity marker?

Purpose: Inducible costimulator (ICOS) is an important costimulatory molecule involved in T-cell activation. In this study, the role of ICOS in the pathogenesis of uveitis in Behçet's disease (BD) was investigated.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from BD patients with uveitis in the active or remission phase and in healthy subjects.