APC derived from donor splenocytes support retinal autoimmune disease in allogeneic recipients

T cell adoptive transfer models of antoimmune disease have been used in conjunction with radiation/bone marrow chimeras to define the minimal requirements for antigen (Ag) recognition. In models with central nervous system Ags, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 11 compatibility achieved by grafting F-1 bone marrow into parental recipients was reported to be necessary and sufficient for transfer of CD4 T cell-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Bone marrow-derived, perivascular microglia are now widely regarded to play a critical role in the expression of experimental autoimmune diseases of the nervous system. Similar results might be expected in the experimental autoimmune uveo-retinitis model, as retina is an extension of the brain. Using an allogeneic Ag-presenting cell (APC) adoptive transfer strategy, it was found that resident APC were not essential and that their replacement with MHC-compatible cells by bone marrow-grafting techniques was not necessary. Instead, APC were recruited from the circulation.