CD8+ T-cell tolerance induced by delivery of antigen to the anterior chamber is not the result of de facto intravenous or mucosal administration of antigen.

Purpose: We tested whether antigen administration via the anterior chamber ( a. c.) was equivalent to intravenous (i.v.) or mucosal administration of antigen. Methods: Ovalbumin ( OVA)-specific CD8(+) T cells (OT-I) were enumerated in lymphoid tissues of C57Bl/6 (B6) mice via adoptive transfer after the same amount of antigen was administered via a. c., i.v., or mucosal routes. Lytic activity was measured in B6 and gamma delta T cell-deficient B6 mice given OVA via a. c., i.v, or mucosal routes after injection with OVA in adjuvant. Results: OVA a. c. induced a pattern of T-cell proliferation distinct from i.v. or mucosal administration. A. c. and i.v., but not mucosal, OVA induced cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) tolerance. The inhibition of CTL responses was significantly greater in mice given OVA a. c. rather than i.v. gamma delta T cells contributed to a.c.-, but not i.v.-, induced CTL tolerance. Conclusions: A. c. administration of antigen is not de-facto i.v. or mucosal administration of antigen.