Autoimmunity to neuroretina in the concurrent absence of IFN- γ and IL-17A is mediated by a GM-CSF-driven eosinophilic inflammation.

Autoimmunity to neuroretina in the concurrent absence of IFN-γ and IL-17A is mediated by a GM-CSF-driven eosinophilic inflammation. J Autoimmun. 2020 Jun 24;:102507 Authors: Bing SJ, Silver PB, Jittayasothorn Y, Mattapallil MJ, Chan CC, Horai R, Caspi RR Abstract IFN-γ and IL-17A can each elicit ocular autoimmunity independently of the other. Since absence of IFN-γ or IL-17A individually failed to abolish pathology of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we examined EAU development in the absence of both these cytokines. Ifng-/-Il17a-/- mice were fully susceptible to EAU with a characteristic eosinophilic ocular infiltrate, as opposed to a mononuclear infiltrate in WT mice. Retinal pathology in double-deficient mice was ameliorated when eosinophils were genetically absent or their migration was blocked, supporting a pathogenic role for eosinophils in EAU in the concurrent absence of IFN-γ and IL-17A. In EAU-challenged Ifng-/-Il17a-/- mice, ocular infiltrates contained increased GM-CSF-producing CD4+ T cells, and supernatants of retinal antigen-stimulated splenocytes contained enhanced levels of GM-CSF that contributed to activation and migration of eosinophils in vitro. Systemic or local blockade of GM-CSF ameliorated EAU in Ifng-/-Il17a-/- mice, reduced eosinophil peroxidase levels in the eye and in the serum and decreased eosinophil infiltration to the eye. These results support the interpretation that, in the concurrent abse...
Source: Journal of Autoimmunity - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: J Autoimmun Source Type: research