Animal models of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (sympathetic ophthalmia).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to establish the animal model of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH). METHODS: Rats, Akita dogs and monkeys were immunized with the peptides derived from tyrosinase-related protein 1. Each experimental animal was examined clinically and histologically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The rats developed ocular and extraocular inflammation homologous to human VKH by immunization of tyrosinase-related protein 1. The Akita dogs also developed the autoimmune disease almost similar to the spontaneously emerging dog VKH equivalent to human VKH. The monkeys developed similar clinical findings as human VKH. These models may serve as human VKH models.