title: New insights into Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
abstract: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH), a well-established multiorgan disorder affecting pigmented structures, is an autoimmune disorder of melanocyte proteins in genetically susceptible individuals. Several clinical and experimental data point to the importance of the effector role of CD4+ T cells and Th1 cytokines, the relevance of searching a target protein in the melanocyte, and the relevance of the HLA-DRB1*0405 in the pathogenesis of the disease. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease has a benign course when early diagnosed and adequately treated. Full-blown recurrences are rare after the acute stage of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is over. On the other hand, clinical findings, such as progressive tissue depigmentation (including sunset glow fundus) and uveitis recurrence, indicate that ocular inflammation may persist after the acute phase. Additionally, indocyanine green angiography findings suggest the presence of choroidal inflammation in eyes without clinically detectable inflammation. The aim of this paper is to review the latest research results on Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease pathogenesis and chronic/convalescent stages, which may help to better understand this potentially blinding disease and to improve its treatment.
authors: Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School. fmdamico@uol.com.br
authors: Francisco Max
authors: FM
authors: Damico
authors: Felipe Theodoro
authors: FT
authors: Bezerra
authors: Gaspar Carvalho da
authors: GC
authors: Silva
authors: Fábio
authors: F
authors: Gasparin
authors: Joyce Hisae
authors: JH
authors: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D014607:Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; C493960:HLA-DRB1*04:05 antigen