{
  "abstract": "Spontaneous experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in double-transgenic (dTg) mice expressing retinal Hen Egg Lysozyme (HEL) and HEL-specific T cell receptor CD4 T cells is a severe CD4⁺ T cell-driven disease, occurs in 100% of dTg mice at post-partum day (p)20/21 and is accompanied by post-EAU colitis. Because DOCK2 (Dedicator of cytokinesis 2) is essential for Rac-dependent immune cell function, including T cell motility and migration from secondary lymphoid tissues, we investigated its effect on T cell behaviour in this model. dTg mice lacking DOCK2 (DOCK2⁻/⁻ dTg) were examined for evidence of uveitis (fundoscopy, histology and flow cytometry) and intestinal inflammation (colon length and histology). Retinal inflammation and ocular CD4⁺ T cell infiltration were assessed over time. Flow cytometry of lamina propria cells quantified CD4⁺ T cells and determined the balance of Helios+ versus Helios− regulatory T cells. The eye-draining lymph nodes were also analysed for CD4⁺ T cell populations. DOCK2⁻/⁻ dTg mice showed delayed and attenuated uveitis. Retinal inflammation, consistently evident by p21 in DOCK2+/+ dTg mice, and atrophy (~ p30) were absent until ~p60 and were associated with markedly reduced ocular CD4⁺ T cell infiltration. Despite profound lymphopenia, DOCK2 deficiency did not induce spontaneous colitis; colons were normal in length and lacked inflammation. Flow cytometry of lamina propria cells showed no change in overall CD4⁺ T cell numbers between DOCK2⁻/⁻ and DOCK2⁺/⁺ mice. However, the balance of Helios expression in Treg was altered, with DOCK2⁻/⁻ mice containing significantly higher numbers of Helios− Treg in the lamina propria compared to DOCK2+/+ mice. In contrast, peripheral lymphoid tissues (eye-draining lymph nodes), showed disproportionately reduced CD4⁺ T cell numbers in DOCK2⁻/⁻ dTg mice. We conclude DOCK2 may be a potential target for control of uveoretinitis via expansion of eye-homing gut Helios− Treg.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen",
    "Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences",
    "Division of Immunogenetics, Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Christine Mölzer"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Izabela P. Klaska"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Tian Yu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Rosie Fordyce"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth Muckersie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yoshinori Fukui"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "John V. Forrester"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lucia Kuffova"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6g7aqwc3faax1.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s41598-026-62501-7",
  "fulltext_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62501-7",
  "id": "6g7aqwc3faax1",
  "issns": [
    "2045-2322"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62501-7",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "lcc",
      "Q"
    ],
    [
      "lcc",
      "R"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2731|Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7170526978",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-62501-7_reference.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "Nature Portfolio",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6g7aqwc3faax1.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T13:45:54Z",
      "native_id": "e9d557765fc8467baea0a2ca70cd543a",
      "source": "doaj",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62501-7"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2731|Ocular Diseases and Behçet’s Syndrome",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Deficiency of DOCK2 delays development of spontaneous uveoretinitis in a lymphopenic mouse model of colitis",
  "title_text": "Deficiency of DOCK2 delays development of spontaneous uveoretinitis in a lymphopenic mouse model of colitis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T13:45:54Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6g7aqwc3faax1",
  "venue": "Scientific Reports",
  "versions": []
}