The Role of two Retina Antigens in Production of Experimental Allergic Uveitis and its Suppression by Mycrobacteria

Abstract

Of two tissue specific antigens demonstrated in guinea pig retina, only one was active in production of allergic uveitis in this species, even though antibodies produced to either antigen were demonstrably reactive with the animals own retina. Further, the frequency and severity of disease was a function of the amount of antigen used, as well as the quantitative relationships between mycobacteria and antigen in the immunizing emulsion. Nearly 100% of guinea pigs developed uveitis when the proper amounts of each component were in the inoculum, but a small increase of mycobacteria beyond an optimal amount was found to suppress the immunologic and pathologic reactions otherwise elicited by retina antigen.