The role of the immune system in conjunctival wound healing after glaucomasurgery

Citation
L. Chang et al., The role of the immune system in conjunctival wound healing after glaucomasurgery, SURV OPHTHA, 45(1), 2000, pp. 49-68
Citations number
248
Categorie Soggetti
Optalmology
Journal title
SURVEY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
ISSN journal
00396257 → ACNP
Volume
45
Issue
1
Year of publication
2000
Pages
49 - 68
Database
ISI
SICI code
0039-6257(200007/08)45:1<49:TROTIS>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
The immune system has a fundamental role in the development and regulation of ocular healing, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of mos t blinding diseases. This review discusses the mechanisms of normal wound h ealing, describing the animal and fetal wound healing models used to provid e further insight into normal wound repair. In particular, conjunctival wou nd repair after glaucoma filtration surgery will be used to illustrate the contributions that the different components of the immune system make to th e healing process. The potential role of macrophages, the possible regulato ry effect of lymphocytes, and the important role of growth factors and cyto kines in the wound healing reaction are discussed. The significance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of aggressive conjunctival scarring is ad dressed, particularly assessing the predisposing factors, including drugs, age, and ethnicity. The rationale behind the pharmacological agents current ly used to modulate the wound healing response and the effects these drugs have on the function of the immune system are described. Finally, potential new therapeutic approaches to regulating the wound healing response are re ported. (Surv Ophthalmol 45:49-68, 2000. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).