Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome: a case with an autoimmune reactivity against retinal and renal antigens

Abstract

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU) generally occurs at young age and has a female preponderance. Renal biopsy reveals interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema, and the associated intraocular inflammation typically consists of an anterior, bilateral uveitis. The pathogenesis of TINU likely involves both humoral and cellular immunity and is mediated by medications, infectious agents, or other unknown causes. A previous report detected a renal antigen recognized by the serum of a TINU patient. In this report the authors extend these observations to document seroreactivity against a retinal antigen of similar size.