Susceptibility to endotoxin induced uveitis is not reduced in mice deficient in BLT1, the high affinity leukotriene B4 receptor.

AIM To investigate the role of arachidonic acid derived chemotactic factor, LTB(4), in the development of endotoxin induced uveitis (EIU), using mice deficient in the BLT1 gene which encodes the high affinity LTB(4) receptor. METHODS BLT1 gene deficient and wild type BALB/c mice were injected intravitreally with Escherichia coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide (250 ng/2 microl). Number of leukocytes invading the anterior chamber 24 hours later were counted on tissue cross sections. RESULTS In all mice, EIU was characterised by a polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrate. Numbers of infiltrating cells did not differ significantly between control and BLT1 gene knockout mice. CONCLUSION Chemotactic factors other than LTB(4) are primarily responsible for leukocyte migration into the eye during murine EIU.