The Role of M. leprae Hsp65 Protein and Peptides in the Pathogenesis of Uveitis

Figure 1

Administration of K⁴⁰⁹A protein and Leader pep increased EAU scores, and injection with K⁴⁰⁹A pep decreased EAU scores. B10.RIII mice were immunized with 40 μg 161–180 IRBP peptide on day 0 and followed by a single injection with 2.5 μg of K⁴⁰⁹A, Leader pep, or K⁴⁰⁹A pep (i.p.). Eyes were collected for histopathology 21 days after immunization. EAU scores were assigned by histopathologic examination of the eyes on a scale from 0 to 4 according to the extent of inflammation and tissue damage. **𝑃<0.01: control versus K⁴⁰⁹A pep; K⁴⁰⁹A versus K⁴⁰⁹A pep; Leader pep versus K⁴⁰⁹A pep. Disease incidence: control group: 75% of animals presented grade 1.5; K⁴⁰⁹A: 75% of animals expressed grade 3; Leader pep: 75% of animals presented grade 3; K⁴⁰⁹A pep: 75% of animals expressed no disease.