Inflammation and Eye disease
, The Retina – immune privilege
• The eye and the brain are immune privileged sites.
• Foreign material such as antigens don’t lead to a classical immune response
• Allows transplant of cornea or allograft without rejection
• These sites are under tighter control because an excessive inflammatory response would be
harmful
Immune privilege is as a result of an active process. Mechanisms that limit immune reactions
include :
• Blood-retinal barrier with tight junctions between retinal capillaries. Glia and RPE play a role
• Immunosuppressive proteins which inhibit innate and adaptive responses. Inhibit TGF-b, IL-11,
IFNγ, αMSH, VIP Fas ligand
• Inhibition of complement activation
• Lack of lymphatic drainage
However immune privilege may lead to increased susceptibility to autoimmune reactions due to
inadequate development of self-tolerance to self-antigens in the eye.
, The Retina – immune privilege
• The eye and the brain are immune privileged sites.
• Foreign material such as antigens don’t lead to a classical immune response
• Allows transplant of cornea or allograft without rejection
• These sites are under tighter control because an excessive inflammatory response would be
harmful
Immune privilege is as a result of an active process. Mechanisms that limit immune reactions
include :
• Blood-retinal barrier with tight junctions between retinal capillaries. Glia and RPE play a role
• Immunosuppressive proteins which inhibit innate and adaptive responses. Inhibit TGF-b, IL-11,
IFNγ, αMSH, VIP Fas ligand
• Inhibition of complement activation
• Lack of lymphatic drainage
However immune privilege may lead to increased susceptibility to autoimmune reactions due to
inadequate development of self-tolerance to self-antigens in the eye.
