RESUMEN
Objective To observe the efficacy of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α monoclonal antibody(TNF-α MCAb)in the treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis(EAU). Methods EAU animal models were induced by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein(IRBP)R16 peptide with immunization.The rats were divided into 2 groups according to the injection times.TNF-α MCAh was administered intravenously on day 6 or 4,6 and 8 post-immunization respectively,and then to observe the clinical expression by slit-lamp microscope.Meanwhile,take the rats which did not accept TNF-α MCAb as conttol group.Delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH)responses were measured on day 13 postimmunization of IRBP R16;the rats were killed on day 14 post-immunization of IRBP R16,and then enucleated the eyes for histopathological examination.To detect the cytokine level of IFN-γ,IL-4 in serum and IFN-γ in aqueous humor by enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)on day 14 postinjection.The hyperplasia responses of antigen specific lymphocyte of draining lymph node cells were detected. Results The TNF-αMCAb group had mitigated ocular inflammation and decreased pathological grades compared with the control group;the IFN-γ concentrations in aqueous humor and serum were decreased,IL-4 was increased in serum;DTH responses were decreased;the hyperplasia responses of draining lymphocytes to IRBP R16 peptide were decreased,all the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).The rats accepted TNF-α MCAb thrice had much better curative effect than the rats injected once(P＜0.05). Conclusions Injection of TNF-α MCAb can inhibit ocular inflammation and specific immune cells of EAU remarkably and change the Th1/Th2 balance.Many times injections of TNF-α MCAb were more effective than once.