Murine endotoxin-induced uveitis, but not immune complex-induced uveitis, is dependent on the IL-8 receptor homolog

Purpose. To determine the roles of the murine interleukin-8 receptor homolog (mIL-8Rh, neutrophil chemokine CXC receptor 2) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α, a CC chemokine) in two eye inflammation models: endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) and immune complex-induced uveitis (reverse passive Arthus reaction (RPAR) uveitis). Methods. For the EIU model, 250 ng E. coli endotoxin was injected into the vitreous of mIL-8Rh(-/-) mice or heterozygous littermate mIL-8Rh(+/-) controls and into MIP-1α(-/-) mice or congenic MIP-1α(+/+) controls. Eyes were harvested after 24 h for histologic characterization of infiltrating cells and IL-6 bioassays. For the RPAR model, mouse antiserum against human serum albumin (HSA) was injected into the vitreous of mIL-8Rh(-/-), mIL-8Rh(+/-), MIP-1α(-/-), and MIP-1α(+/+) mice. Twenty-four hours later, animals were challenged with intravenous HSA. Eyes were harvested after 4 h for analysis. Results. RPAR resulted in the deposition of immune complexes at the ciliary area and iris with the subsequent development of uveitis. Genetic deficiency of mIL-8Rh reduced the median number of infiltrating cells in EIU by 63% (p < 0.01) but had no effect on RPAR-induced inflammation. In the EIU model, macrophages comprised a much higher percentage (45%) of infiltrating cells in mice lacking mIL-8Rh than in controls (17%). Loss of the MIP-1α gene had no apparent effect on RPAR uveitis and a 39% reduction of infiltrating cells in EIU that was not statistically significant. IL-6 activity in aqueous humor was much less in mice with RPAR uveitis than in those with EIU. Neither gene deletion had a significant impact on IL-6 levels in either disease model. Conclusions. Chemokines acting via mIL-8Rh have a significant role in the induction of neutrophil infiltration during EIU but not during RPAR uveitis. MIP-1α is not critical for either EIU or RPAR-induced uveitis. The differential dependence on IL-8-like chemokines is in accord with the two forms of uveitis having different etiologies and, therefore, potentially different optimal therapies.