Interferons and their potential in the treatment of ocular inflammation

Review

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Authors: Friederike Mackensen, Regina Max, Matthias D Becker

Published Date October 2009 Volume 2009:3 Pages 559 - 566

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S3308

Friederike Mackensen,¹ Regina Max,² Matthias D Becker³

¹Department of Ophthalmology, ²Department of Internal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Uveitis Center, University of Heidelberg, Germany; ³Department of Ophthalmology, Triemli Hospital Zürich, Switzerland

Abstract: Since their discovery in the 1950s interferons have been the scope of investigation in many diseases as therapeutic as well as pathogenetic factors. We know they have immune stimulatory and immune regulatory effects. This apparently counter-intuitive mechanism can be summarized as immunomodulatory action and seems to be very effective in a number of ocular inflammatory diseases. We review the current knowledge of interferons in immunity and autoimmunity and show their use in clinical ophthalmologic practice.

Keywords: interferon, uveitis, treatment, inflammation