Effects of Cyclosporin A on the Recurrence in Experimental Autoimmune Anterior Uveitis

Yu, Hyeong Gon; Yu, Young Suk; Chung, Hum

Abstract

PURPOSE
We investigated the suppressive effect of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the recurrence of experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis that mimics human endogenous uveitis in clinical appearance. METHODS: Lewis rats were immunized with melanin-associated antigen and treated with intraperitoneal CsA for one week and then received the second immunization with the same antigen at 8 weeks after primary immunization. The treatment of CsA started either from the day of primary immunization (early treatment group) or from 14 days after the immunization (delayed treatment group). The clinical and histologic grading of the uveitis was assessed in comparison with the control group. RESULTS: In early treatment group, intraocular inflammation developed later than in control group. However the inflammation continued for a longer period. In delayed treatment group, the total period of intraocular inflammation was also increased even though CsA suppressed intraocular inflammation during the treatment period. The recurrence rate of experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis was similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: CsA suppressed intraocular inflammation significantly during the treatment period, howerever it did not seem to suppress the recurrence of the experimental uveitis.