title: Ocular actions of platelet-activating factor: clinical implications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To summarize the currently available evidence of platelet-activating factor (PAF) implication in the pathogenesis of inflammatory ocular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  PAF is a potent mediator of inflammation, implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory disorders, allergic reactions, oncogenic transformation, wound repair and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. It seems to be involved in the protection of ocular surface against various harmful agents through inflammatory processes, which can lead to chronic allergic reactions or even corneal neovascularization and haze, if they do not undergo regulation. Pathogenesis of uveitis, which is significant cause for the blurring of the visual system, has also been associated with PAF's activity. The hypoxia and the breakdown of the blood-retina barrier, observed in severe vascular retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, are associated with PAF ocular activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the pathophysiology of vision threatening diseases could enhance clinical treatment and encourage experimental studies, which could be based on potential beneficial effects of new agents, such as PAF antagonists.
authors.affiliation: National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, 121, Marathonodromou Street, Marousi, 15125, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eirini
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nitoda
authors.forename: Marilita M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Moschos
authors.forename: Clio P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Mavragani
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C039351:platelet activating factor receptor