The Microbiota Determines Susceptibility to Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis

Figure 1

Severity of ocular inflammation in germ-free (GF) and conventional (CV) mice 35 days after EAU induction. (a) Representative photographs of retinal fundus of GF (grade 0) and CV (grade 2) mouse. The figure shows small and linear lesions (arrow), minimal optic disc inflammation, and moderate vascular cuffing (arrowheads). (b) Quantification of the clinical EAU score. By clinical fundoscopy, no inflammation was observed in the GF mice (3 animals) at day 35 after induction, whereas in control CV mice (6 animals), severe inflammation was observed. The red line in the graphs represents mean. (Mann-Whitney test). (c) Representative microphotographs of hematoxylin and eosin-stained retina of GF and CV mice. The figure shows a large infiltrate (star) located in inner retinal layer, mild vitritis (arrow), and small retinal folds (arrowhead). (d) Quantification of histological EAU score. On histological evaluation, minimal to no signs of uveitis were observed in GF mice (6 animals) compared to severe uveitis in CV mice (6 animals). The red line in the graphs represents mean. (Mann-Whitney test).