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Autoimmune mechanisms in primary open angle glaucoma
Author(s) -
GRUS F
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2013.2452.x
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , glaucoma , medicine , intraocular pressure , immunology , immune system , autoimmune disease , open angle glaucoma , disease , blot , antigen , retinal ganglion cell , antibody , retinal , ophthalmology , pathology , biology , gene , genetics
In glaucoma, the elevated intraocular pressure cannot explain the disease in all patients. However, the pathogenesis of the disease is widely unknown. Autoimmune effects could play a role in the disease process. Several studies using Western blotting, mass spectrometry and microarrays could demonstrate significant and persistent up – and downregulations of immunoreactivities against ocular antigens. Furthermore, in animal models it could be shown that in priniciple the immune reaction itself is able to lead to retinal ganglion cell loss. A deposit of antibodies could be shown in the retinae of glaucoma patients. These findings could lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis, but also to new immunomodulatory treatment options and diagnosis.