title: Immunologic mechanisms of uveitis. New targets for immunomodulation.
abstract: The uvea consists of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris, and inflammation of the uveal tract is termed uveitis. Nevertheless, uveitis is commonly used to more generally describe intraocular inflammation involving not only the uvea, but also the retina, vitreous, and sclera. Fifty years ago, infectious organisms such as syphilis and tuberculosis were thought to be the cause of most forms of uveitis. Since that time, many causes of uveitis have been described as infectious and noninfectious. Scientists have shown that the immune response plays a critical role in the development of infectious and noninfectious forms of the disease. With a more detailed understanding of the immune mechanisms leading to the development of uveitis, we are now able to develop new therapeutic approaches based on targeting various components of the immune response.
authors.affiliation: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Whitcup
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Nussenblatt
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine