A look at autoimmunity and inflammation in the eye
Rachel R. Caspi
Rachel R. Caspi
Published September 1, 2010
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2010;120(9):3073-3083. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI42440.
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A look at autoimmunity and inflammation in the eye

Abstract

Autoimmune and inflammatory uveitis are a group of potentially blinding intraocular inflammatory diseases that arise without a known infectious trigger and are often associated with immunological responses to unique retinal proteins. In the United States, about 10% of the cases of severe visual handicap are attributed to this group of disorders. As I discuss here, experimental models of ocular autoimmunity targeting retinal proteins have brought about a better understanding of the basic immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of uveitis and are serving as templates for the development of novel therapies.

Authors

Rachel R. Caspi

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Figure 1

Scheme of an eye showing major anatomical structures and organization.

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Scheme of an eye showing major anatomical structures and organization. D...
Detail: Enlarged section of retina and uvea showing anatomical layers. Light passes through the ocular media and concentrates on the macula (the area of the retina responsible for sharp color vision), whereupon the photoreceptor cells sense the signal and transmit it to the brain via the optic nerve. Any damage to the ocular structures along the visual axis would likely result in a visual deficit. RPE, retinal pigment epithelium.