The immunological basis of degenerative diseases of the eye

Int Rev Immunol. 2013 Feb;32(1):97-112. doi: 10.3109/08830185.2012.740536.

Abstract

It has become clear that disorders that were once considered "degenerative" have complex mechanisms, with many having been shown to have immune mediation as part of the disease process. These include arteriosclerotic heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Indeed, several ocular disorders that once fell into the "degenerative" category meet this criterion as well. Immune mediation has been shown to be a part of many of the most common ocular disorders, and not just that of uveitis, or ocular inflammatory disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Arteriolosclerosis / immunology*
  • Autoimmunity
  • Bruch Membrane / immunology
  • Bruch Membrane / pathology
  • Eye Diseases, Hereditary / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Ranibizumab
  • Retinal Degeneration / immunology*
  • Retinal Degeneration / therapy
  • Retinal Drusen / immunology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Ranibizumab

Supplementary concepts

  • Basal Laminar Drusen