The role of cytokines in the regulation of ocular autoimmune inflammation

The eye is a unique place for the development of an immune response. Beyond the usual mechanisms of immune restraint, the eye evolved with its exclusive mechanisms such as anterior chamber associated immune deviation. Therefore, immune-mediated inflammation in the eye does not develop at the same pace as in other sites of the body. Here we will address such peculiarities as they regard to ocular autoimmunity, using the experimental autoimmune uveitis as a model to understand the participation of cytokines in the process of aggression against the eye, as well as their immunoregulatory role. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.Univ São Paulo, Dept Immunol, Biomed Sci Inst, BR-05508900 São Paulo, BrazilFundacao Univ Fed Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ophthalmol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Sch Med, Div Clin Immunol & Allergy, Lab Med Invest, BR-01051 São Paulo, BrazilHeart Inst InCor & Fdn Zerbini, São Paulo, BrazilInst Invest Immunol III, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ophthalmol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc