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Characterization of IL-17⁺ Interphotoreceptor Retinoid-Binding Protein-Specific T Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

¹From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kentucky Lions Eye Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.

PURPOSE. The aims of this study were to determine whether IL-17⁺ T cells were present in CD4 and CD8 interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP)-specific T cells and to determine the role of antigen-specific and nonspecific IL-17⁺ T cells in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).

Methods.

B6 mice were immunized with uveitogenic peptide IRBP1–20. In vivo-primed T cells were separated and stimulated with the immunizing peptide. Intracellular expression of IFN- and IL-17 by the T cells was assessed, and the pathogenic activity of the activated T cells was determined.

Results.

A subset of autoreactive IRBP-specific CD8 T cells expressed IL-17. IRBP-specific T cells preferentially expressed IL-17 when expanded by IL-23, whereas IFN-–expressing cells were dominant when the T cells were cultured with IL-2. Importantly, both expanded T-cell populations were uveitogenic. In addition, IL-23 promoted the expansion of antigen-specific and non–antigen-specific IL-17⁺ T cells, whereas TGF-ß and IL-6 acted only on non–antigen-specific IL-17⁺ T cells. Only the antigen-specific IL-17⁺ T cells were uveitogenic. The activation of autoreactive IL-17⁺ T cells was markedly increased in vivo by the mycobacterial component of CFA and pertussis toxin (PTX) and in vitro by the ligation of Toll-like receptors.

Conclusions.

IL-17⁺ T cells can be readily detected among activated autoreactive and bystander T cells and may play a major role in the pathogenesis of EAU.

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