Inhibition of Experimental Autoimmune Anterior Uveitis by Adenovirus-Mediated Transfer of the Interleukin-10 Gene

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of adenoviral-mediated transfer of the interleukin (IL)-10 gene for inhibition of experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis, a rat model of human acute anterior uveitis. Uveitis was induced in the Lewis rat by simultaneous injection of melanin-associated antigen intraperitoneally (i.p.) and into the left footpad. The animals were treated by systemic administration of adenoviral construct expressing IL-10 (Ad-IL-10) or Ad-Mock carrying no cytokine transgene. A significant reduction in ocular inflammation was noted for rats that received one or two divided i.p. administrations of Ad-IL-10 (one 10 x 10(9) and two 5 x 10(9) particles of adenoviral construct, respectively), as judged by reduced clinical scores and decreased leukocyte infiltration in the anterior chamber and confirmed by histological examinations, relative to control animals. Systemic Ad-IL-10, treatment also revealed a higher serum level of IL-10, compared to the controls. The results suggest that systemic adenovirus-mediated IL-10 gene therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on immune-mediated ocular inflammation and that this approach may be promising for the treatment of acute anterior uveitis.