Ectopic expression of gamma interferon in the eyes of transgenic mice induces ocular pathology and MHC class II gene expression.

Abstract

Ectopic expression of gamma IFN in the lens affected the growth of the whole eye, resulting in microphthalmia and microphakia. The author's data suggest that alpha ACry-gamma IFN transgenic mouse ocular cells express functional gamma IFN receptors and that interaction of gamma IFN with its receptor induced biochemical and morphologic changes in the transgenic eyes. These mice provide an animal model for the study of the linkage between aberrant MHC expression and predisposition to autoimmune diseases.