Innate Immunity and the Eye

by Manfred Zierhut, Friedrich Paulsen, Jerry Y Niederkorn, Ulrich Schraermeyer

This book Innate Immunity and the Eye updated about the various cellular components (e.g. NK-cells, microglial cells, macrophages) and associated factors (e.g. antimicrobial peptides, mucins, toll-like receptors). Also, the cooperation of innate and adaptive immune system will be discussed. After presentation of the physiological role of the innate immune system, its role in autoimmune disorders, tumorigenesis and infection (e.g. TB) will be analyzed. The innate immune system comprises the cells and their mechanisms that defend the host from infection by antigens in a nonspecific manner. Therefore, this is a necessary supplement to the antigen specific or adaptive immune system. Both systems consist of humoral and cellular components, the innate system additionally also includes anatomical barriers. In this book includes the external eye with its disorders such as Dry Eye Syndrome and infectious keratitis, but the innate immune system also has impact on the immune privilege of the eye and on uvea and retina which will be illustrated by highlighting the distribution of myeloid-derived cells in the inner segments of the eye and its role in keratoplasty and uveitis. Also, in disorders previously not candidates for an immunopathogenesis, like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, the innate immune system seems to play a major role during the course of the disease.

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