Cytokines in Immune-mediated “Non-infectious” Uveitis

Abstract

Uveitis is a significant cause of ocular morbidity and accounts for approximately 5 – 10% of visual impairments worldwide, particularly among the working-age population. Infections are the cause of ~ 50% cases of uveitis, but it has been suggested that infection might also be implicated in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated “non-infectious” uveitis. There is growing evidence that cytokines (i.e., interleukins, interferons, etc.) are key mediators of immune-mediated “non-infectious” uveitis. For example, activation of the interleukin-23/interleukin-17 signalling pathway is involved in immune-mediated “non-infectious” uveitis. Studies in animal models have been important in investigating the role of cytokines in uveitis. Recent studies of clinical samples from patients with uveitis have allowed the measurement of a considerable array of cytokines even from very small sample volumes (e.g., aqueous and vitreous humour). The identification of complex patterns of cytokines may contribute to a better understanding of their potential pathogenetic role in uveitis as well as to an improved diagnostic and therapeutic approach to treat these potentially blinding pathologies. This review provides further insights into the putative pathobiological role of cytokines in immune-mediated “non-infectious” uveitis.

Zusammenfassung

Uveitis stellt weltweit eine bedeutende Ursache für Augenerkrankungen dar und trägt insbesondere bei der erwerbsfähigen Bevölkerung zu etwa 5 – 10% der Sehbehinderungen bei. Etwa 50% der Uveitisfälle werden durch Infektionen verursacht, jedoch wird vermutet, dass Infektionen auch an der Entstehung einer immunvermittelten „nicht infektiösen“ Uveitis beteiligt sein könnten. Es gibt zunehmend Hinweise darauf, dass Zytokine (wie Interleukine, Interferone usw.) wichtige Mediatoren der immunvermittelten „nicht infektiösen“ Uveitis sind. Beispielsweise ist die Aktivierung des Interleukin-23-/Interleukin-17-Signalwegs an dieser Form der Uveitis beteiligt. Studien an Tiermodellen haben eine wichtige Rolle bei der Erforschung der Rolle von Zytokinen bei Uveitis gespielt. Kürzlich ermöglichten Studien an klinischen Proben von Patienten mit Uveitis die Messung einer beträchtlichen Anzahl von Zytokinen, selbst aus sehr kleinen Probenvolumina (wie Kammerwasser und Glaskörper). Die Identifizierung komplexer Zytokinmuster kann zu einem besseren Verständnis ihrer potenziellen pathogenetischen Rolle bei Uveitis beitragen und zu verbesserten diagnostischen und therapeutischen Ansätzen für diese potenziell zur Erblindung führenden Krankheitsbilder führen. Diese Übersicht liefert weitere Einblicke in die mutmaßliche pathobiologische Rolle von Zytokinen bei der immunvermittelten „nicht infektiösen“ Uveitis.

Key words

uveitis - cytokines - autoimmune - non-infectious - diagnosis - treatment

Schlüsselwörter

Uveitis - Zytokine - autoimmun - nicht infektiös - Diagnose - Behandlung

Publication History

Received: 24 May 2023

Accepted: 30 October 2023

Article published online:
22 December 2023

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