Abstract

Antigen Ov39, derived from Onchocerca volvulus, cross-reacts on both the T and B cell level with a nonhomologous human retina 1 antigen, hr44. Lewis rat s were immunized to investigate the potential of these antigens to induce eye disease. Histologic andimmunohistologic examination of ocular tissues revealed pathologic changes as early as day 12, which included induction or up-regulation of class II and CD68-leikantigen on perivascular cells, ramifide retina 1 microglia, dendriti form cells of their is epithelium, and ciliary epithelium and significant breakdown of anterior and posterior blood-ocular barriers. Extravascular immunoglobulin and staining for CD68-leikantigen was detected in the optic nerve after immunization with Ov39. Unrelated structural abnormalities of retina and lens seen in 8% of eyes examined significantly predisposed eyes to the development of Ov39-or hr44-induced pathology. These findings suggest a role for cross-reactive immune responses in the development of ocular onchocerciasis.

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