Aqueous immune complexes in immunogenic uveitis.

A primary immunogenic uveitis was produced in rabbits by the intravitreal injection of bovine plasma albumin or ovalbumin. A secondary or recurrent uveitis was induced by intravenous injection of the specific soluble antigen several months after the cessation of primary inflammation. Aqueous antigen-antibody complexes were studied at times of maximal clinical response in both primary and recurrent forms during resolution of primary immunogenic uveitis, and in a nonspecific protein extravasation induced by aqueous paracentesis. Immune complexes could be demonstrated only during times of clinically evident inflammation in immunogenic uveitis. The results indicate the importance of antigen-antibody complex formation in the pathogenesis of this form of experimental ocular inflammatory disease.