Equine Recurrent Uveitis – A Spontaneous Horse Model of Uveitis

Abstract

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is an autoimmune disease that occurs with a high prevalence (10%) in horses. ERU represents the only reliable spontaneous model for human autoimmune uveitis. We already identified and characterized novel autoantigens (malate dehydrogenase, recoverin, CRALBP) by analyzing the autoantibody-binding pattern of horses affected by spontaneous recurrent uveitis (ERU) to the retinal proteome. CRALBP also seems to be relevant to human autoimmune uveitis. Proteomic screening of vitreous and retinal samples from ERU diseased cases in comparison to healthy controls has led to the identification of a series of differentially regulated proteins, which are functionally linked to the immune system and the maintenance of the blood-retinal barrier.

Altered expression of talin 1 in peripheral immune cells points to a significant role of the innate immune system in spontaneous autoimmune uveitis

“…We investigated fundamentals of immune response in a spontaneous autoimmune disease model in the horse, equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) [7,8]. This is the only spontaneous animal model for autoimmune uveitis, and ERU closely resembles the human disease in many clinical as well as immunopathological aspects [9,10]. Differences in protein abundance, modifications and functions can act as useful indicators of pathological abnormalities.…”

Osteopontin and Fibronectin Levels Are Decreased in Vitreous of Autoimmune Uveitis and Retinal Expression of Both Proteins Indicates ECM Re-Modeling

“…In order to understand the pathogenesis and the underlying molecular processes of autoimmune uveitis, different experimental animal models are investigated [4]. Among these, equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is the only spontaneous animal model for autoimmune uveitis, and ERU resembles closely the human disease in many clinical as well as immunopathological aspects [5], [6]. In contrast to the human disease, however, ERU is a frequent pathology in the equine population.…”

Vitreal IgM Autoantibodies Target Neurofilament Medium in a Spontaneous Model of Autoimmune Uveitis

“…Characterized by remitting-relapsing episodes of intraocular inflammation and closely resembling human autoimmune uveitis (AU), ERU is well established as a spontaneous model of human uveitis. 1 We already know that during the onset of disease, the eye's former immune privilege 2 is abolished, and the blood-retina barrier breaks down, allowing autoaggressive T-cells to invade the retinal tissue. 3,4 Retinal proteins such as S-antigen (S-Ag), interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), and cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP), are targets in ERU that have been shown to induce ERU-like disease in horses.…”