Comprehensive Grading System for Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis in Mice

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is the most commonly used animal model to study the progression of chronic uveitis and to test various therapies to treat the disease. However, to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of such treatments, a grading system that combines the latest imaging techniques with definitive quantitative grading thresholds is required. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive grading system that objectively evaluates EAU progression in C57BL/6J mice. EAU was induced following immunisation with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) and pertussis toxin. Weekly fundus and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were acquired over 12 weeks using a Micron IV imaging system. Each mouse was graded (between 0 to 4) based on changes seen on both the fundus (optic disc, retinal blood vessels and retinal tissue) and OCT (vitreous and retinal layers) images. A total EAU response (with a maximum score of 48) was calculated for each mouse based on the sum of the individual scores each week. Analysis of the clinical scores depicted a gradual increase in inflammatory signs including optic disc and vascular swelling, leukocyte infiltration in the vitreous, lesions in the retina and formation of granulomas and hyper-reflective foci in the retinal layers in EAU mice, with most signs reaching a plateau towards the end of the study period. Development of these signs into sight-threatening complications such as optic disc atrophy, structural damage to the retina and subretinal oedema were noted in 80-90% of mice suggesting consistent disease induction. Overall, a comprehensive and objective grading system encompassing all pathologies occurring in EAU mice was developed to enhance the preclinical evaluation of novel uveitis treatments.