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This study was conducted to investigate therapeutic value of a soluble tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) receptor, etanercept, in a rat model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Forty-two inbred male Lewis rats were divided into seven equal groups. 200 μg of Escherichia coli 055:B55 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected in one hind footpad of the Groups 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 rats. Group 5, 6, and 7 rats also received subcutaneous etanercept 24hr prior to LPS injection at a dose of 0·4 mg kg⁻¹. Group 1 rats were used as controls. Eight, 24, and 48hr after treatment clinical uvetis scores (miosis, iris hyperemia, and hypopyon) were assessed by a masked observer and the rats were euthanized. Neutrophil leukocytes, CD8+, CD4+, and CD45RO+ cells in the anterior uveal tissue were counted either after hematoxylin–eosin or monoclonal antibody staining. TNF-α levels were also measured in the aqueous humor samples …