title: Interleukin-6 blockade in ocular inflammatory diseases.
abstract: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key cytokine featuring redundancy and pleiotropic activity. It plays a central role in host defence against environmental stress such as infection and injury. Dysregulated, persistent interleukin (IL)-6 production has been implicated in the development of various autoimmune, chronic inflammatory diseases and even cancers. Significant elevation of IL-6 has been found in ocular fluids derived from refractory/chronic uveitis patients. In experimental autoimmune uveitis models with IL-6 knock-out mice, IL-6 has shown to be essential for inducing inflammation. IL-6 blockade can suppress acute T helper type 17 (Th17) responses via its differentiation and, importantly, can ameliorate chronic inflammation. Tocilizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, has been shown to be effective in several autoimmune diseases, including uveitis. Herein, we discuss the basic biology of IL-6 and its role in development of autoimmune conditions, focusing particularly on non-infectious uveitis. It also provides an overview of efficacy and safety of tocilizumab therapy for ocular inflammatory diseases.
authors: Institut Clinic d'Oftalmologia, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mesquida
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Leszczynska
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Llorenç
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Adán
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D000093242:Interleukin-6 Inhibitors; C502936:tocilizumab
keywords: autoimmune diseases; interleukin-6; monoclonal antibodies; tocilizumab; uveitis