Objective: To test the effect of recombined IL-15/Fc on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in mice.
Methods: EAU were induced in C57 mice by transferring activated T cells specific to the interphotoreceptor-binding protein (IRBP) 1-20 peptide. The mice were then treated with recombine IL-15/Fc fusion protein or IgG as controls. The severity of EAU were graded on a scale of 0 to 4 with half-point increment based on the type, number, and size of the lesions detected by funduscopic and HE staining. The IRBP1-20 sensitive CD8+T cells were isolated from the IRBP1-20 immune mice with auto-MACS. The in vitro effect of IL-15/Fc fusion protein on the proliferation, differentiation, expansion and production of inflammatory cytokines of the purified IRBP1-20 sensitive CD8+T cells were analyzed with 3HTdR, FACS and ELISA.
Results: IL-15/Fc fusion protein inhibited the activation, proliferation, expansion and production of inflammatory cytokines of the IRBP1-20 specific CD8+T cells, down regulated CD44(high)CD62L(low) effect and CD8+ CD62L(low) activated T cell subsets, and consequently decreased the severity of EAU.
Conclusion: IL-15/Fc fusion proteins decrease the severity of EAU through inhibiting the proliferation, expansion, differentiation and production of inflammatory cytokines of CD8+ T cells.