Advances in the studies on cytokine and chemokine gene polymorphisms associated with uveitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

ABSTRACT

·Uveitis is an inflammation of any or all parts of the uveal tract including the iris, ciliary body and the choroid. Despite current advances in diagnosis and management, visual loss occurs in 35%-45% of patients with uveitis. The etiopathogenesis of uveitis remains unknown; it may be associated with environmental and immunogenetic factors. Many studies have demonstrated polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes may determine involvement in uveitis. Recently polymor-phisms in non-MHC genes, including cytokine and che-mokine genes, have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of uveitis. This article reviewed the advances in the studies on cytokine and chemokine gene polymorphisms associated with uveitis.