ORIGINAL ARTICLE, The Immunomodulator Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) Does Not Affect Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis (EAU) in B10.RIII Mice

Abstract

Purpose: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) exhibits immunomodulatory activities both in vivo and in vitro, including efficient inhibition of murine experimental arthritis. In this study, we investigated the effects of VIP treatment on the induction of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods: EAU was induced in B10.RIII mice by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) using routine methods, but without treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX). VIP was injected i.p. at different doses into mice on alternate days. Mice were tested by conventional methods for ocular inflammation, antibody levels, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine release by cultured lymphocytes. Results: Treatment with VIP, at different doses, had essentially no effect on the development of EAU or antibody production in the B10.RIII mice. The treatment did have variable effects on the low interferon-γ production by lymphocytes of these mice. Conclusion: Unlike its inhibitory effect in the experimental arthritis system, VIP did not modulate the development of EAU in B10.RIII mice.

KEYWORDS:

• Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU)
• immunopathogenic mechanisms
• immunosuppression
• mouse strains
• vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)