ENDOCRINE MODULATION OF IMMUNE-MEDIATED EYE DISEASE IN RATS

近年来，越来越多的证据表明， 激素能够调节免疫系统的文献 系统 有证据表明，催乳素是一种 免疫刺激激素与血清催乳素降低 实验动物体内的水平 溴隐亭将导致一定程度的免疫抑制。 诱导的实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（EAU）动物模型 通过用S-抗原（来自于小鼠的可溶性抗原）免疫大鼠， 视网膜）用于研究眼内炎性疾病。 我们有 证明了在男性和女性中抗体产生的减少， 雌性大鼠的葡萄膜炎发病率降低 但对免疫反应没有显著影响， 淋巴细胞增殖 如前所述，高剂量的 环孢菌素（10 mg/kg）仅部分降低了 眼内炎症 我们已经证明， 同时使用溴隐亭抑制催乳素 与低剂量环孢菌素联合使用比 两种药物分别抑制疾病的发生率 以及细胞和体液免疫应答。 证据 文献表明环孢菌素与催乳素竞争 淋巴细胞上的结合位点，因此催乳素减少 水平可能会减少对这些位点的竞争， 治疗更有效。 进一步研究该动物模型 将阐明神经内分泌轴的其他方面， 用于调节免疫系统以治疗自身免疫性疾病 疾病

In recent years there has been increasing evidence in the literature that hormones are capable of regulating the immune system. There is evidence to suggest that prolactin is an immunostimulatory hormone and that reduction of serum prolactin levels in experimental animals by hypothesectomy 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 but no significant effect on the immune responses measured by lymphocyte proliferation. As reported before, high doses of cyclosporine (10 mg/kg) results 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 as well as cellular and humoral immune responses. Evidence in the literature suggests that cyclosporine competes with prolactin for binding sites on lymphocytes therefore 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 utilized to regulate the immune system to treat autoimmune diseases.