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Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:1195-1198 doi:10.1136/bjo.82.10.1195
  • Original Article
    • Laboratory science

Treatment of uveitis with recombinant human interleukin-13

  1. François G Robergea,
  2. Marc D de Smeta,
  3. Jacques Benichoub,
  4. Martin F Krietea,
  5. James Rabera,
  6. John Hakimic
  1. aNational Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, bNational Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Biostatistics Branch, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, cRoche Research Center, Inflammation and Autoimmune Diseases, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
  1. François G Roberge, MD, La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, 47-83 Blvd de l’Hôpital, Bât Babinski, 75013 Paris, France.
  • Accepted 11 March 1998

Abstract

AIM To evaluate the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-13 (IL-13) for the treatment of uveitis.

METHODS Uveitis was induced in monkeys by immunisation with human retinal S-antigen. Starting at the onset of disease, the animals were treated with IL-13 at 25 μg/kg, or vehicle control, injected subcutaneously once a day for 28 days. Intraocular inflammation was scored by indirect ophthalmoscopy for a period of 56 days. Circulating leucocyte levels were monitored.

RESULTS Uveitis started unilaterally in all but one animal. IL-13 inhibited inflammation both in the eyes in which the disease was present when the treatment was initiated (p=0.0001), and in the contralateral initially negative eyes (p=0.0001). After cessation of therapy, there was a progressive increase of inflammation in the IL-13 treated group. However, the beneficial effect of IL-13 extended into the 4 week follow up period. IL-13 produced an increase in circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils and a decrease in lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION Administration of IL-13 appears to be a promising modality of treatment for severe uveitis.

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