Acute anterior uveitis (AAU), the most common form of intraocular inflammation in man, is an autoimmune disease of the eye. Experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU) is a rodent model of AAU. It is produced in the Lewis rat by sensitization to melanin associated antigen (MAA) derived from bovine iris and ciliary body and is mediated by CD4+ T cells. The behavior and function of immune cells in vivo has been hampered by reliance on in vitro tissue culture systems, histologic analysis of tissues or the analysis of cell/factors from sacrificed animals. Recent advances in in vivo imaging techniques has allowed the development of scaled down positron emission tomography (PET) instrumentation with high-resolution and signal sensitivity for application in small animal model. We propose to combine our expertise in PET scanning and the production of positron emitting nucleotides in the Department of Radiology with our expertise in immunology in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences to study the immunopathogenesis of EAAU.
The specific aims of this proposal are: 1. Design, synthesis and evaluation of relevant pharmaceutical tools. 2. Effect of radionuclide labeled antibodies on immune cell function and binding of the antibodies to their target antigens. 3. Immune cell migration and localization in EAAU.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY013094-02
Application #
6179801
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1-ALR-I (S1))
Program Officer
Liberman, Ellen S
Project Start
1999-09-30
Project End
2001-01-31
Budget Start
2000-09-30
Budget End
2001-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$214,227
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
062761671
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Sohn, J H; Kaplan, H J; Suk, H J et al. (2000) Complement regulatory activity of normal human intraocular fluid is mediated by MCP, DAF, and CD59. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 41:4195-202
Sohn, J H; Kaplan, H J; Suk, H J et al. (2000) Chronic low level complement activation within the eye is controlled by intraocular complement regulatory proteins. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 41:3492-502