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Interferons and their potential in the treatment of ocular inflammation

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Authors: Friederike Mackensen, Regina Max, Matthias D Becker

Published Date October 2009 , Volume 2009:3

Journal: Clinical Ophthalmology

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