The Role of IFN-alpha in Experimental and Clinical Uveitis. (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xiaoli; Diedrichs-Möhring, Maria; Wildner, Gerhild
• Is Part Of: Ocular immunology and inflammation. Volume 27:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: NK cells -- rat experimental autoimmune uveitis -- regulatory T cells -- Th1 -- Th17; Eye -- Diseases -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Eye -- Inflammation -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2017.1298822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0927-3948

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Purpose : IFN-α is the only treatment capable of inducing long-term remission in some patients with ocular Behçet's disease. In this review, we focus on immune mechanisms of IFN-α in animal models and patients and compare the outcome of different clinical studies. Methods : Review of literature using PubMed and Google and original data from rat models with monophasic/chronic or relapsing experimental autoimmune uveitis treated with IFN-α. Results : The role of IFN-α and its effect on various cell types were investigated, in some cases with contradictory results. Some patients respond very well to IFN-α treatment, while others are non-responders, which was reflected in the uveitis rat models: relapsing uveitis was ameliorated, the monophasic/chronic disease even aggravated. Conclusions : Despite intensive investigations in patients and animal models, the immune mechanisms explaining the therapeutic effect of IFN-α in ocular Behçet's disease are not yet fully understood and need further investigation.