Unravelling the puzzle of vision loss in children with arthritis

Researchers from University College London (UCL), Great Ormond Street Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital have explored the role that B cells and T cells play in the development of uveitis among patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Writing in Nature Communications, the scientists present findings that counteract the prevailing view that JIA-associated uveitis is primarily a T cell-driven disease – suggesting that new therapies may also focus on B cells as drivers of disease development.

Study author and UCL research fellow, Dr Bethany Jebson, highlighted that JIA-associated uveitis can be challenging to detect early because in some patients it may cause not symptoms.

The study involved analysing immune cells in the eyes of patients with JIA and JIA-associated uveitis. The researchers also compared blood samples from both groups.

The scientists observed that B cells were consistently present in the eyes and blood of patients with JIA-associated uveitis.

“Our findings challenge the idea that uveitis is driven by T cells alone and show that B cells may also be playing an important role,” Jebson said.

In a mouse model of JIA-associated uveitis, the researchers found that blocking communication between T cells and B cells reduced inflammation.

Senior author and UCL associate professor, Dr Elizabeth Rosser, shared: “While results from animal studies cannot be directly applied to children, they can help identify immune pathways that may be important in disease.”

The research received funding from the Medical Research Foundation, Moorfields Eye Charity, Arthritis UK and Fight for Sight.