Role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of endogenous uveitis; [Uloga citokina u patogenezi endogenih uveitisa]

Abstract

Uveitis is a group of inflammatory ocular diseases, primarily affecting uveal tract. Although the pathogenesis of endogenous uveitis is not completely understood, it is well established that immune mechanisms are involved. Cytokines are soluble proteins that function as mediators of immune responses and understanding their role in the development of endogenous uveitis could contribute to elucidation of the etiopathogenesis of this disease. In this review article the role of the most important cytokines is analyzed based on data from the studies with experimental animal models or patients with endogenous uveitis. Cytokines, such as interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, have clear pro-inflammatory role in endogenous uveitis, while protective, anti-inflammatory role is ascribed to interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-beta. Due to scarce and often contradictory results, the roles of interleukin-4, interleukin-5, interleukin-12, interleukin-17, interleukin-23, interferon-gamma and other cytokines in the pathogenesis of endogenous uveitis have not been unambiguously defined. Further studies are needed to delineate the precise role of these cytokines in endogenous veitis, which would open new possibilities in the treatment of this disease and prevention of its complications that can lead to vision loss.