Immunology and the eye Flashcards
What is included in the innate immune system of the eye?
No physical barrier
Not many commensals
Chemical agents
Cell
How does the eye protect itself?
Blink reflex
Physical and chemical properties of eye surface
Limit exposure
How does the blink reflex protect the eye?
Physical tears
Flushing
Mucous layer
What is present in tears that allows them to act as a chemical barrier?
Lysozyme: protects against gram negative bacteria and fungi
Lactoferrin and transferrin: protective against gram positive bacteria
Tear lipids: antibacterial to cell membranes/ scavenger of bacterial products
Angiogenin: antimicrobial effect within tear film
Secretory IgA: prevents attachment
Complement
IL-6, IL-8, MIP: antimicrobial molecules that recruit leukocytes
What cells are present in tears that help them to act as a barrier?
Neutrophils: chemotaxic, scavengers
Macrophages: phagocytosis of damaged cells, helps to trigger adaptive immune system
Conjunctival mast cells: vasoactive mediators
What does the adaptive immune system require?
Antigen presenting cells - dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages
Lymphatic drainage to lymph nodes
Variety of effector cells (CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells)
What is the role of langerhans cells in the eye?
Principle APC for external eye Rich in class 2 MHC molecules Found at limbus
What immunological features can be found at the conjunctiva?
Only part with lymph drainage
Specialised endothelial venules for regulated migration of lymphoid cells
Diffuse lymphoid populations in all conjunctival zones (CD4+ CD8+ T cells, IgA plasma cells)
Dendritic cells as APC
MALT
Commensal bacteria
What immunological features can be found at the cornea and sclera?
Tough collagen coat Avascular No lymphatics Lack of APC Langerhans cells only in peripheral cornea Down Regulated immune environment
What is the role of the lacrimal gland in immune protection of eye?
More plasma (IgA) cells and CD8+ T cells than conjunctiva T cells in small groups around intralobular ducts Resting lymphoid cells very rarely observed
What is the role of the lacrimal drainage system in immune protection of the eye?
Diffuse lymphoid tissue and follicles in MALT
What are immune privilege sites in the body?
Brain/CNS
Testes
Placenta/ foetus
Eye
What sites in the eye are immune privileged?
Cornea Anterior chamber Lens Vitreous cavity Subretinal space
What is immune privilege?
Tolerate introduction of antigens without eliciting an inflammatory response
How does the eye have immune privilege?
Blood-tissue barrier with a lack of lymph drainage
Ocular microenvironment is rich in immunosuppressive molecules and inhibitor cell surface molecules that influence the reactivity of immune cells
Anterior chamber associated immune deviation