Over the past several decades, animal models of autoimmune
uveitis directed at eye-specific
antigens (Ags) have been developed. These have allowed researchers to understand the basic mechanisms that lead to these diseases and also recently helped the researchers in translational research for therapeutic interventions. Experimental autoimmune
uveitis (EAU) is an
animal disease model of human endogenous
uveitis and can be induced in susceptible animals by immunization with
retinal Ags. Ever since the first description of EAU in mice in 1988, several animal models of
uveitis has been described by researchers. Disease-specific model for
cytomegalovirus retinitis and tubercular
uveitis has evolved our understanding of these complex entities.
Endotoxin induced
uveitis is another useful model for
anterior uveitis, which is not an autoimmune process and is triggered by injection of bacterial
endotoxin (
lipopolysaccharides) resulting in a rapid short lasting
uveitis. The current article will give an insight into the various EAU animal models and their current implications in translational research. The article will also highlight the different grading systems for EAU in the animal model.