Basic studies on uveitis in China

Abstract

Basic studies on uveitis in China have progressed rapidly in recent years. First, a series of studies have demonstrated that several molecules (such as Tim-3 and IDO) and regulatory T cells (such as CD4+CD25+, CD4+PD-1+, CD8+Foxp3+ and CD8+CD94+T cells) are involved in the development of anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID) . Secondly, immunological studies reveal that both Th1 and Th17 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of uveitis. Increased resistance of lymphocytes to apoptosis, and the decreased frequencies and functioning of CD4+CD25+ T cells are involved in the development or recurrence of uveitis. Thirdly, a number of genes have been shown to be associated with Behcet's disease or Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in Chinese patients. In addition, using an animal model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) , interferon-β and interleukins have been demonstrated to be involved in the development of EAU. Mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate the immune responses in EAU. However, it is worthwhile to pointing out that there are only a few researchers performing basic research on uveitis in China and that the mechanisms involved in this disease should be further investigated in the future. Key words: Uveitis; Basic study; Immunologic pathogenesis; Genetic research