The Model of Experimental Non-Infectious Autoimmune Uveitis With Key Clinical Signs Manifestation Depending on the Severity Level

Abstract

Introduction. Uveitis primarily affects young individuals and often leads to loss of productivity. Understanding the clinical, immunological, and morphological characteristics of this disease is of utmost importance and should be based on a thorough study of its developmental mechanisms. Therefore, the experimental modeling of uveitis in rabbits plays a significant role in studying its dynamics. There are numerous models of non-infectious autoimmune uveitis (NAU) available. However, previous publications did not address the question of the severity level of experimental NAU based on the type of used model or amount of antigen administered. The aim of the study. To describe the model of experimental NAU exposing key clinical manifestations depending on the severity level. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 30 “Chinchilla” breed rabbits subdivided into two groups 15 animals each. NAU was induced in both eyes by intravitreal injection of either insoluble (group I) or soluble (group II) sterile horse serum. On the days of animal withdrawal from the experiment (3, 7, 10, 14, and 21), the clinical manifestatioin of NAU was evaluated based on changes in the humidity of the anterior chamber and vitreous body. A quantitative assessment of clinical signs of NAU was conducted in both groups animals under investigation. Results. From day 2, the clinical signs of NAU in two experimental groups demonstrated different degrees of severity of inflammation, with certain differences in the developmental dynamics. Namely, in group I, NAU was characterized by moderate and severe degrees of inflammation, while in group II, it was predominantly mild. In both groups, progress of intraocular inflammation was noted on days 3, 7, and 10, followed by a decrease in this process on the later phases of experiment. In comparison between two groups of rabbits concerning the dynamics of inflammatory clinical manifestations reflected in scores, a statistically significant differences were documented on all days of the experiment (p is less than 0.05). Conclusions. An experimental model of non-infectious autoimmune uveitis is described, which manifests key clinical signs of this disease development depending on its severity level. These observations open a new possibilities for this model prospective use in clinical practice for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as for the development of new protocols for endogenous uveitis effective treatment. Keywords: experimental model, non-infectious autoimmune uveitis, blood serum, quantitative assessment.