Animal models of autoimmune and immune-mediated uveitis

Uveitis of putative autoimmune origin comprises a heterogeneous group of sight-threatening diseases prevalent in the US and worldwide. Several animal models, representing various forms of uveitis, have been developed. These models reproduce distinct aspects of human disease and can serve to study basic mechanisms and as templates for therapy. ‘Humanized’ models have recently become available that might help to better characterize the antigenic molecules driving human disease.

Section editor:Daniel Altmann – Human Disease Immunogenetics Group, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK