Development of Immunologic therapies against uveitis

National Eye Institute

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Studies to understand mechanisms underlying the immune suppressive effects of i27-Breg cells led to our discovery that i27-Breg cells secrete IL-27-containing exosomes (i27-exosomes). Adoptive transfer of the i27-exosomes suppressed uveitis in mice by antagonizing Th1/Th17 responses, upregulating inhibitory-receptors associated with T-cell exhaustion while inducing Treg expansion. Use of i27-exosomes thus obviates the IL-27 dosing problem, making it possible to determine bioavailable heterodimeric IL-27 needed for therapy. Moreover, as exosomes readily cross the blood-retina-barrier and no adverse effects were observed in mice treated with i27-exosome, results of this study suggest that i27-exosomes might be a promising therapeutic approach for CNS autoimmune diseases.