[Effects of mycobacterial hydrosoluble adjuvants on the induction and prevention of experimental autoimmune uveo-retinitis in guinea-pigs (author's transl)].

Experimental uveo-retinitis (EAU) was induced in guinea-pigs after one systemic injection of retinal extract mixed with the hydrosoluble adjuvants (WSA) or muramyl dipeptide (MDP). In this model, 50 micrograms of WSA in incomplete Freund's adjuvant had the same adjuvanticity as 50 micrograms mycobacteria. The MDP, tested at low doses (2 to 100 micrograms), was less effective. But MDP, even in aqueous solution without oil, stimulated the induction of a tolerance to the retinal antigen: with addition of MDP, only one injection of the antigenic preparation was sufficient to delay and clearly reduce the development of EAU induced by the antigen plus complete Freund's adjuvant two and a half months later.