Mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide treatment suppress inflammation intensity in experimental model of autoimmune uveitis

Purpose The research in experimental models of autoimmune uveitis helps to find new therapeutical strategies. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of cyclophosphamide (CPA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and golimumab on inflammation intensity in mice model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Methods EAU was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous application of IRBP (interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein) in complete Freund’s adjuvant and pertussis toxin. CPA was injected intraperitoneally in a single dose of 100 mg/kg, MMF intraperitoneally daily in a dose of 30 and 50 mg/kg, golimumab subcutaneously weekly in a dose of 70 mg/kg. Mice with EAU without treatment and group with EAU with sham treatment served as controls. Histological grading of uveitis at day 35 post induction of EAU was used. Results The comparison of intensity of inflammation in group of treated and untreated mice shows that MMF significantly suppressed the inflammation (p˂0,05). The absolute suppression of inflammation by CPA (p˂0,0001) was shown. On the contrary, golimumab enhanced the ocular inflammation. Conclusion In this study, we have confirmed the efficacy of CPA and MMF in treatment of posterior uveitis, which supports its use in human medicine. This project was supported by grant IGA MZ NT/14017‐3/2013 and SVV‐266505/2013.