Antiphospholipid antibodies may be associated with uveitis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Non-infectious uveitis is an ocular inflammatory condition with diverse etiologies.
• Autoantibodies play a role in various autoimmune diseases, but their specific association with uveitis requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of autoantibodies, including antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), in adult patients with non-infectious uveitis compared to healthy controls.
• To investigate potential associations between specific autoantibodies and uveitis, considering clinical characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted with 63 non-infectious uveitis patients and 78 healthy controls.
• Serum samples were analyzed for autoantibodies against membranous phospholipids (aPL), nuclear antigens, and cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA).
• Demographic and clinical data of uveitis patients were collected retrospectively.

Main Results:

• Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) showed a significant association with uveitis (OR 11.2).
• 20.6% of uveitis patients tested positive for at least one aPL (anti-cardiolipin, anti-β2-glycoprotein, or anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin).
• aPL positivity was primarily observed in patients with anterior uveitis and idiopathic cases, without evidence of thrombosis.

Conclusions:

• This study establishes an association between aPL and non-infectious uveitis in patients without thrombosis or antiphospholipid syndrome.
• The link between aPL and uveitis, especially anterior inflammation, suggests a potential role beyond thrombotic events.
• Further investigation into non-thrombotic mechanisms mediating the aPL-uveitis interaction is warranted.