Patterns of Experimental Allergic Uveitis Induced by Rhodopsin and Retinal Rod Outer Segments

Abstract
We have observed that both washed outer segments and purified rhodopsin produce primarily a posterior uveitis with little or no anterior segment inflammation if an effort is made to remove all contaminating soluble retinal antigen. The differences in the immunopathologic responses to rhodopsin compared to soluble retinal antigen may be explained by the solubility difference between these antigens. With the soluble retinal antigen there may be anterior segment inflammation and diffuse tissue necrosis. The allergic response to rhodopsin appears to be confined to the posterior segment with tissue necrosis in severe cases restricted to the anatomic distribution of rhodopsin in the outer retina.