Release of protein and cations from the lens in the presence of different antigen-antibody interactions.

Rabbit lenses exposed to unrelated Ag/Ab interactions and to heterologous anti-lens and anti-uveo-retinal antibodies show alterations of their permeability with loss of Rb+ followed by efflux of macromolecular intracellular constituents; these phenomena take place also without complement when the ratio of the unrelated Ag/ab is in Ag excess, while complement is strictly required for the action of anti-tissue antibodies. The possible role of these findings as regards the pathogenesis of complicated cataracts in uveitis and the self-maintenance of recurrent uveitis is briefly discussed.