Uveitis Nonhuman Primates Disease Model

Uveitis is a group of inflammatory eye diseases that affect the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye. Uveitis can cause swelling and damage to the uvea and other eye tissues, leading to vision loss or blindness. Uveitis can be caused by infections, autoimmune disorders, trauma, or unknown factors.

Uveitis can be classified into anterior, intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis depending on which part of the uvea is involved. Anterior uveitis affects the front part of the uvea (the iris and ciliary body), intermediate uveitis affects the middle part (the pars plana), posterior uveitis affects the back part (the choroid), and panuveitis affects all parts.

The diagnosis and treatment of uveitis can be challenging due to its heterogeneity and complexity. There is a need for better understanding of the pathogenesis and immunology of uveitis, as well as for developing more effective and safe therapies. Animal models are useful tools for studying uveitis and testing new drugs.

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are especially valuable for modeling human uveitis because they share many anatomical, physiological, immunological, and genetic similarities with humans. NHPs also have similar ocular structures and functions as humans, such as color vision, binocular vision, macula lutea, fovea centralis, optic nerve head morphology, intraocular pressure regulation, blood-retinal barrier integrity, and immune privilege.

One of the most widely used NHP models of uveitis is experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU), which is induced by immunization with retinal antigens such as S-antigen or interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). EAU mimics human posterior or panuveitic conditions such as birdshot chorioretinopathy or Behçet's disease. EAU in NHPs produces extensive inflammation and damage to the retina and choroid that can be assessed by clinical examination or histopathology.

However, there is a lack of NHP models for anterior uveitis, which is considered the most prevalent form of human uveitis. Anterior uveitis can be idiopathic or associated with systemic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis or sarcoidosis. Anterior uveitis in humans causes symptoms such as pain, redness, photophobia, blurred vision, and increased intraocular pressure. Anterior uveitis can lead to complications such as cataract, glaucoma, or synechiae.

To address this gap, Prisys Biotechnologies has developed a novel NHP model of anterior uveitis based on immunogenic peptide-induced EAU (iEAU). In this model, NHPs are immunized with a synthetic peptide derived from IRBP that has been shown to induce EAU in mice. The peptide triggers a T cell-mediated immune response that targets both IRBP-expressing cells in the retina and cross-reactive antigens in the iris and ciliary body.

The iEAU model has several advantages over other animal models of anterior uveitis:

- It uses NHPs that are more relevant to human ocular physiology and pathology than rodents or rabbits.

- It induces anterior inflammation without affecting posterior structures, allowing for better evaluation of anterior-specific therapies.

- It employs human clinical ophthalmology examinations such as color funduscope examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and eyeball biopsy to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy.

- It allows for local injection therapeutics such as intravitreal or subconjunctival injections that can deliver drugs directly to the target site.

The standard study duration for iEAU model is 8 weeks, with clinical endpoints including C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of systemic inflammation; color funduscope examination, which reveals iris hyperemia, miosis, and aqueous flare; OCT, which measures retinal thickness; and eyeball biopsy, which confirms histological changes such as leukocyte infiltration, edema, and fibrosis.

The iEAU model offers a unique opportunity for researchers and drug developers who are interested in studying anterior uveitis or testing new therapies for this debilitating condition. Prisys Biotechnologies provides high-quality iEAU studies with customized protocols, experienced staff, and state-of-the-art facilities. For more information about iEAU model or other NHP models offered.

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