T lymphocyte effector mechanisms in the retina in posterior uveitis.
Loss of vision in posterior uveitis is often the consequence of chronic retinal oedema and immune-mediated damage to the retinal parenchyma. Research in other putative autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and in animal models of autoimmune disease, has uncovered a number of mechanisms which may contribute to the development of inflammatory disease within the eye. With recent developments in specific anti-cytokine therapy an understanding of these mechanisms, most of which are cytokine-mediated, is essential in order to plan more effective therapeutic strategies. In this paper we review recent research investigating the functional characteristics of the T cells which are recruited into the retina in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis, including activation status, antigen-specific proliferation in vitro and cytokine mRNA production in the inflamed retina.
Barton
K
K
Department of Clinical Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
Lightman
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012160:Retina / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015866:Uveitis, Posterior / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D012333:RNA, Messenger