Immunopathology and altered immunity in posterior uveitis in man: a review.
Posterior uveitis is thought to be a T-cell mediated disease since active foci of inflammation, identified in eyes enucleated for the complications of intraocular inflammation, are found to be predominantly composed of CD4+ T-cells. Few B-cells and little immunoglobulin are found suggesting that antibody and immune complex deposition do not play a major role in perpetuating the inflammatory process. As ocular biopsy is not a feasible method for monitoring disease activity and response to treatment, parameters of T-cell activation and retinal damage have been studied in the peripheral blood. These have included antibody and T-cell sensitisation to retinal S-antigen, serum soluble IL-2 receptors and IL-2 receptors on activated T-cells. none of these parameters, however, have been found to be useful in the monitoring of ocular disease activity alone or in the prediction of disease relapse.
Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.
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Lightman
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Towler
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D019393:Arrestin; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000941:Antigens; D019393:Arrestin; D001324:Autoantigens; D005136:Eye Proteins