Immune maintenance in glaucoma: boosting the body's own neuroprotective potential

M Schwartz, A London - Journal of ocular biology, diseases, and …, 2009 - Springer
M Schwartz, A London
Journal of ocular biology, diseases, and informatics, 2009Springer
Glaucoma, a slow progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with death of retinal
ganglion cells and degeneration of their connected optic nerve fibers, has been classically
linked to high intraocular pressure. Regardless of the primary risk factor, degeneration may
continue, resulting in further loss of neurons and subsequent glaucomatous damage. During
the past decade, scientists and clinicians began to accept that, in addition or as an
alternative to fighting off the primary risk factor (s), there is a need to protect the tissue from …
Abstract
Glaucoma, a slow progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with death of retinal ganglion cells and degeneration of their connected optic nerve fibers, has been classically linked to high intraocular pressure. Regardless of the primary risk factor, degeneration may continue, resulting in further loss of neurons and subsequent glaucomatous damage. During the past decade, scientists and clinicians began to accept that, in addition or as an alternative to fighting off the primary risk factor(s), there is a need to protect the tissue from the ongoing spread of damage—an approach collectively termed “neuroprotection.” We found that the immune system, the body’s own defense mechanism, plays a key role in the ability of the optic nerve and the retina to withstand glaucomatous conditions. This defense involves recruitment of both innate and adaptive immune cells that together create a protective niche and thereby halt disease progression. The spontaneous immune response might not be sufficient, and therefore, we suggest boosting it by immunization (with the appropriate antigen, at specific timing and predetermined optimal dosing) which may be developed into a suitable therapeutic vaccination to treat glaucoma. This view of immune system involvement in glaucoma will raise new challenges in glaucoma research, changing the way in which clinicians perceive the disease and the approach to therapy.
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