Glaucoma is an autoimmune disease

Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor however, mechanisms independent of IOP play a role in RGC pathology. Both antibodies and CD4 T–cells as well as microbiota take part in the pathogenesis of both glau...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Autoimmunity reviews 2020-06, Vol.19 (6), p.102535, Article 102535
Main Authors: Geyer, Orna, Levo, Yoram
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Glaucoma
Heat shock proteins
Rheumatoid arthritis
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Summary:Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor however, mechanisms independent of IOP play a role in RGC pathology. Both antibodies and CD4 T–cells as well as microbiota take part in the pathogenesis of both glaucoma and rheumatoid arteritis (RA).Heat shock proteins (HSPs) which originate in bacteria cross-react with RCG epitopes and were involved in rat model of retinal injury. Enhanced expression of HSPs in the retina was associated with glaucoma-like neuropathology and previous studies have also suggested a pathogenic role for HSPs in RA. In view of these data we suggest that glaucoma should be included in the spectrum of autoimmune diseases and that proven medications for RA should be adopted as an innovative IOP –independent therapeutic strategy for glaucoma.
ISSN:1568-9972
1568-9972
DOI:10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102535