The induction of anterior chamber associated immune deviation with Type II collagen (P1045)

Abstract

Abstract The administration of antigens into the anterior chamber (AC) of the eye induces a special form of antigen-specific peripheral immune tolerance termed AC-associated immune deviation (ACAID), which prevents delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses and other inflammatory responses. Type-II collagen (CII) is highly expressed in cartilage tissues and has been linked to Rheumatoid arthritis, aging, and osteoarthritis. To explore the potential for ACAID induction via CII, we checked for different signs of ACAID generation following the AC injection of CII in BALB/c mice. We hypothesized that the mechanism of ACAID induction involves efferent T regulatory cells (Tregs). Both local adoptive transfer (LAT) assays and DTH assays were performed. Results indicated that ACAID induction was driven by the AC injection of CII. Spleen cells of mice injected with CII in the AC significantly suppressed DTH responses. ACAID induction was mediated by efferent Tregs in the spleen. CII-mediated ACAID induction could have multiple therapeutic implications, especially in autoimmunity.