title: Scleritis: Immunopathogenesis and molecular basis for therapy.
abstract: Scleritis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the sclera, which may be due to local or systemic infections or immune mediated diseases. Numerous studies over the last decade have lead to significant progress in understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of this severe and potentially blinding disease. Immunological investigations of non-infectious scleritis and associated diseases have indicated that scleritis is an autoimmune disease and studies on the nature of the local inflammatory response have revealed the prominent role of T and B cells and cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, which in turn has resulted in clinical trials showing the effectiveness of local steroid treatment, anti-TNF and anti-B cell therapy. The widespread use of imaging has led to the realization that posterior scleritis is more common than previously recognized and testing for ANCA antibodies has revealed the prominent role of immune mechanisms in a subset of patients with scleritis and associated systemic vasculitis.
authors: School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. d.wakefield@unsw.edu.au
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Wakefield
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Di Girolamo
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Thurau
authors: Gerhild
authors: G
authors: Wildner
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: McCluskey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015423:Scleritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents