Immunologic mechanisms of uveitis. New targets for immunomodulation
S. M. Whitcup and R. B. Nussenblatt
National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., USA.
The uvea consists of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris, and inflammation
of the uveal tract is termed uveitis. Nevertheless, uveitis is commonly
used to more generally describe intraocular inflammation involving not only
the uvea, but also the retina, vitreous, and sclera. Fifty years ago,
infectious organisms such as syphilis and tuberculosis were thought to be
the cause of most forms of uveitis. Since that time, many causes of uveitis
have been described as infectious and noninfectious. Scientists have shown
that the immune response plays a critical role in the development of
infectious and noninfectious forms of the disease. With a more detailed
understanding of the immune mechanisms leading to the development of
uveitis, we are now able to develop new therapeutic approaches based on
targeting various components of the immune response.
