Uveoretinitis and pinealitis induced by immunization with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein.

Rats immunized with microgram amounts of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), a glycoprotein which localizes specifically in the eye and pineal gland, developed uveoretinitis and pinealitis. The severity and onset of changes were found to be dose-related and to be enhanced by B. pertussis bacteria. In general, the inflammatory changes induced by IRBP resembled those provoked by S-antigen (S-Ag), but significant differences were noted between the two diseases. The possible usefulness of the new experimental autoimmune disease is discussed.