ENDOCRINE MODULATION OF IMMUNE-MEDIATED EYE DISEASE IN RATS

近年来，越来越多的证据表明，荷尔蒙是 能够调节免疫系统的。有人建议， 催乳素是一种免疫刺激激素，降低血清 垂体切除或治疗对实验动物催乳素水平的影响 使用溴隐亭会导致一定程度的免疫抑制。 实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎(EAU)动物模型的建立 S抗原(视网膜可溶性抗原)免疫大鼠的研究 用于研究眼内炎症性疾病。我们已经展示了一个 雄性和雌性大鼠的抗体产生减少，并 降低雌性动物葡萄膜炎的发病率。对…没有显著影响 观察免疫反应，以淋巴细胞增殖为指标。 如前所述，大剂量环孢素(10 mg/kg)只会导致 眼内炎症部分减轻。我们已经证明了 溴隐亭合用对大鼠催乳素的抑制作用 与小剂量环孢素联合使用比任何一种药物都更有效 分别在抑制疾病发病率和细胞和 体液免疫反应。文献中的证据表明 环孢素与催乳素竞争淋巴细胞上的结合部位。 降低催乳素水平可能会减少对这些部位的竞争 使环孢素治疗更加有效。与此相关的进一步研究 动物模型将阐明神经内分泌轴的其他方面 可用于调节免疫系统，治疗自身免疫性疾病。

In recent years there has been increasing evidence that hormones are capable of regulating the immune system. It has been suggested that prolactin is an immunostimulatory hormone and that reduction of serum prolactin levels in experimental animals by hypophysectomy or treatment with bromocriptine will result in a degree of immunosuppression. An animal model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) induced by immunization of rats with S-antigen (a soluble antigen from the retina) is used to study intraocular inflammatory disease. We have demonstrated a decrease in antibody production in both male and female rats and a decreased incidence of uveitis in female animals. No significant effect on the immune responses, as measured by lymphocyte proliferation, was seen. As reported before, high doses of cyclosporine (10 mg/kg) result in only partial reduction of intraocular inflammation. We have demonstrated that the suppression of prolactin by concurrent use of bromocriptine in combination with low-dose cyclosporine is more effective than either drug separately in suppressing both the incidence of disease and cellular and humoral immune responses. Evidence in the literature suggests that cyclosporine competes with prolactin for binding sites on lymphocytes. Reductions in prolactin level may reduce competition for those sites and make cyclosporine treatment more effective. Further studies with this animal model will elucidate other aspects of the neuroendocrine axis that may be used to regulate the immune system to treat autoimmune diseases.