Circulating and localized immune complexes in experimental mycoplasma-induced arthritis-associated ocular inflammation

Abstract

Ocular deposits of immune complexes are believed to contribute to the anterior segment inflammations observed in association with the human arthritides. Arthritis-related ocular inflammations may be reproduced in animals by infection with certain species of mycoplasma. To evaluate the role of immune complexes in the production of ocular lesions, we studied their involvement in the rodent model of experimental arthritis-associated ocular inflammation induced by Mycoplasma arthritidis. Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with viable concentrates of M. arthritidis and monitored for the production of related circulating and intraocular immune complexes. Circulating immune complexes were monitored by antigen capture systems, and localized intraocular complexes were identified by indirect immunohistochemistry. Polyacrylamide gel immunoblot analysis of captured complexes confirmed the antigen(s) involved as proteins derived from M. arthritidis. Indirect immunofluorescence revealed localized complexes containing mycoplasma antigens within the ciliary-iris vasculature. Concentrations of the generated complexes diminished rapidly over a 30-day period. While complex deposits within ocular tissues could represent a contributing cause to the localized anterior segment inflammation reported in this rodent model, secondary challenge with viable M. arthritidis, which reproduced high concentrations of intraocular and circulating immune complexes, failed to elicit any ocular response.

Presence of antibodies in the aqueous humour and cerebrospinal fluid during Leishmania infections in dogs. Pathological features at the central nervous system

“…In fact, T cell deficient nu/nu mice do not exhibit cerebral malaria (Finley et al 1982). However, while Howes & McKay (1975) demonstrated that in the experimental mycoplasma-induced arthritis model ocular lesions and intravascular deposits may result from circulating immune complexes which eventually might initiate the inflammatory reactions, Hylkema et al (1983) and Thirkill, Tyler & Roth (1992) reported the failure of the circulating immune complexes to elicit ocular inflammatory reactions. Thus, in addition to the immune complexes deposition several other factors might contribute to the brain pathology.…”

Peculiar properties of mycoplasmas: The smallest self-replicating prokaryotes

“…Following the acute phase of arthritis, mice develop a chronic proliferative polyarthritis that exhibits periods of remission and exacerbation and which closely resembles histologically the lesions seen in human rheumatoid arthritis. Antigenic mimicry, specific tissue interactions and immune complex involvement have been proposed as factors contributing to M. arthritidis pathogenicity [59,60].…”