CELL‐MEDIATED IMMUNE REACTIVITY TO OCULAR ANTIGENS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract
Patients (14) with rheumatoid arthritis were tested for the presence of cell-mediated immune reactivity to various ocular antigens by means of the leukocyte migration inhibition test. A significant difference in leukocyte migration was found between patients and healthy controls after incubation of their cells with purified rhodopsin, uveal pigment granules or soluble uveal antigens, but not with rod outer segments or soluble retinal antigens. The sensitization to rhodopsin may originate from a sensitization to connective tissue structural glycoproteins.