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- Author or Editor: Janice B. Allen x
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Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the use of an intravitreal sustained-release cyclosporine (CsA) delivery device for treatment of horses with naturally occurring recurrent uveitis.
Animals—16 horses with recurrent uveitis.
Procedures—Horses with frequent recurrent episodes of uveitis or with disease that was progressing despite appropriate medication were selected for this study. Additional inclusion criteria included adequate retinal function as determined by use of electroretinography, lack of severe cataract formation, and no vision-threatening ocular complications (eg, retinal detachment, severe retinal degeneration, and posterior synechia). Sustained-release CsA delivery devices (4 µg of CsA/d) were implanted into the vitreous through a sclerotomy at the pars plana. Reexaminations were performed 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation, then continued annually. Ophthalmic changes, number of recurrent episodes of uveitis, and vision were recorded.
Results—The rate of recurrent episodes after device implantation (0.36 episodes/y) was less than prior to surgery (7.5 episodes/y). In addition, only 3 horses developed episodes of recurrent uveitis after surgery. Vision was detected in 14 of 16 affected eyes at a mean follow-up time of 13.8 months (range, 6 to 24 months).
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—This intravitreal sustained-release CsA delivery device may be a safe and important tool for long-term treatment of horses with chronic recurrent uveitis. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:1892–1896)
Abstract
Objective—To determine whether a chemokine (RANTES)-like protein expressed by ciliary epithelium plays a role in uveitis.
Sample Population—3 clinically normal horses intradermal, 5 eyes from 5 horses with recurrent uveitis, and 10 normal eyes from 5 age- and sex-matched horses.
Procedure—Cross-reactivity and sensitivity of recombinant human (rh)-regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) protein were evaluated in horses by use of intradermal hypersensitivity reactions and a chemotaxis assay. Aqueous humor and ciliary body of eyes from clinically normal horses and horses with uveitis were examined for RANTES expression by use of an ELISA and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of RANTES mRNA and protein content of primary cultures of equine ciliary pigmented epithelial cells (RT-PCR) and culture supernatant (ELISA) were measured 6 or 24 hours, respectively, after cultures were stimulated with interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α.
Results—Strong reactions to intradermal hypersensitivity testing and significant chemotaxis of equine leukocytes to rh-RANTES wereas observed. Aqueous humor of eyes from horses with uveitis contained increased concentrations of rh-RANTES-like protein (mean ± SD, 45.9 ± 31.7 pg/ml), compared with aqueous humor from clinically normal horses (0 pg/ml). Ciliary body from horses with uveitis expressed RANTES mRNA, whereas ciliary body from clinically normal horses had low mRNA expression. Stimulated ciliary pigmented epithelial cells expressed increased amounts of rh-RANTES-like protein (506.1 ± 298.3 pg/ml) and mRNA, compared with unstimulated samples.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ciliary epithelium may play a role in recruitment and activation of leukocytes through expression of RANTES. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:942–947)
