Ocular manifestation of temporal arteritis. Immunological studies

T. M. Radda, H. Pehamberger, J. Smolen and J. Menzel

Since immunological mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of temporal arteritis, serum samples of 15 patients with ocular manifestations of temporal arteritis were investigated for the presence of circulating immune compleses (CICs) and antinuclear antibodies (ANAs). In addition, the serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, and the complement components C3 and C4 were determined. In none of our patients could CICs be detected. Serum samples of two of the patients were positive for ANA. The values for IgG, IgM, C3, and C4 were within normal limits. Our data indicate that circulating C1q-binding immune complexes and ANAs are not the cause of ocular manifestation of temporal arteritis. This does not exclude the possibility that other forms of circulating immune complexes or the local formation of immune complexes might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease.