Evaluation of ocular surface inflammation in the presence of dry eye and allergic conjunctival disease.
The ocular inflammatory diseases dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis are mediated by CD4+ T cells. Th1 cells secrete interferon (IFN)-gamma and are implicated in mediating the disease process in dry eye. Allergic conjunctivitis has been classically defined as a Th2 disease because of the predominance of Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. A multi-hit antigen challenge mouse model of allergic conjunctivitis provides evidence that IFN-gamma, a Th1 cytokine, acts as an endothelium gatekeeper by regulating endothelial expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 required for inflammatory conjunctival cell infiltration. Current research encourages an in-depth evaluation of the exact role Th1 and Th2 cells play in ocular inflammation.
Stern
Michael E
ME
Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA 92612, USA. stern_michael@allergan.com
Siemasko
Karyn F
KF
Gao
Jianping
J
Calonge
Margarita
M
Niederkorn
Jerry Y
JY
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC