Purpose: Aluminum hydroxide (Al) is an adjuvant to induce Th2 immune responses. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of pretreatment with Al on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), a Th1 disease model.
Methods: Lewis rats were pretreated with an uveitogenic peptide (#29)/Al, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)/Al or PBS. EAU was then induced by immunization of #29 in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) with intravenous injection of Bordetella pertussis. Three weeks later, EAU was evaluated histologically and antigen-specific cellular immune responses were assessed.
Results: EAU was exacerbated in the PBS/Al group and attenuated in the #29/Al group, compared to the control PBS group. Antigen-specific cellular proliferation and interferon-gamma production were augmented in the PBS/Al group and suppressed in the #29/Al group.
Conclusions: Suppression or exacerbation of EAU by the pretreatment in this study is related to inhibition or augmentation of antigen-specific Th1 immunity.