[The function and changes of immune cells in autoimmune uveitis]

Uveitis is a common ocular disease and may cause serious damage of visual function. The pathogenesis of uveitis is closely related to its autoimmune response. The Th1 cells and Th17 cells were identified to play a key role in the occurrence of autoimmune uveitis and experimental autoimmune uveitis, whilst the Th17 cells were found to be closely associated with disease recurrence. The regulatory T cells (Tregs) were found to be involved in the regression of inflammation. The dysfunction and ratio of Tregs were the major causes for persistence and recurrence of uveitis. Th17 cells and Tregs can also interconvert with each other under certain conditions. Regulating the Th17/Tregs balance might be a potential novel approach to alleviating inflammation and hence providing the treatment for uveitis.