Autoimmune posterior uveitis is an inflammatory eye disease affecting the posterior eye that is difficult to treat and commonly results in vision loss. The overall objective of our work is to improve the clinical outcome for patients with this condition. Posterior uveitis is characterized by a heterogeneous leukocytic infiltrate within the retina and adjacent tissues. Previous research relating to disease pathogenesis has centered on CD4+ T cells and monocytes. Mechanisms involving B cells have received little attention, although new treatments directed against these cells are therapeutic for patients with uveitis. This exploratory project will initiate a new line of research on the role of the B cell in autoimmune posterior uveitis, with initial focus on B cell migration to the retina. The central hypothesis of the proposal is that B cell entry into the retina in autoimmune posterior uveitis is strictly regulated by distinct adhesion molecules on retinal vascular endothelium. A novel murine model of B cell trafficking to the eye is proposed, in which the potent B cell chemokine, CXCL13, will be delivered to the posterior eye by intraocular injection of chemokine-encoding lentivirus. Multiple conditions will be tested to optimize the immunization protocol for maximum influx of B cells. Transgene expression will be monitored by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, and inflammation will be monitored by topical endoscopic fundus imaging and histopathology. Parallel studies of B cell-retinal endothelial interactions will be conducted using human systems, including: a retinal endothelial cell transmigration assay with primary human endothelial cells;and a modified Woodruff-Stamper assay using intact human retina. The role of selected adhesion molecules - intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) - in B cell trafficking to retina will be evaluated in the murine model and the human-based assays, using appropriate methods to specifically inhibit adhesion molecule-ligand binding.

Public Health Relevance

Posterior uveitis is a blinding inflammation within the eye that is notoriously difficult to treat. Research in the field has ignored one white blood cell - the B cell - although these cells are observed in the inflamed eye. This project, which aims to delineate mechanisms controlling the movement of B cells into the eye from the blood stream, should identify targets of specific and non-toxic drug therapies for patients with posterior uveitis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21EY022009-01
Application #
8208912
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BDCN-W (02))
Program Officer
Mckie, George Ann
Project Start
2011-09-01
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2011-09-01
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$231,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Health and Science University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
096997515
City
Portland
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97239
Bharadwaj, Arpita S; Stempel, Andrew J; Olivas, Antoinette et al. (2017) Molecular Signals Involved in Human B Cell Migration into the Retina: In Vitro Investigation of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and CXCL13. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 25:811-819
Smith, Justine R; Stempel, Andrew J; Bharadwaj, Arpita et al. (2016) Involvement of B cells in non-infectious uveitis. Clin Transl Immunology 5:e63