Immune mechanisms in choroido-retinal inflammation in man.

The immunohistopathological findings of enucleated eyes and immunological abnormalities in several clinical disorders which result in intraocular inflammation are presented. With current immunological techniques, it is possible to define the type and activation status of the cells infiltrating the tissues. In all eyes examined, the predominant cell type was of activated CD4+ T-cells suggesting that the mechanisms involved in the perpetuation of the inflammatory response are similar and it is the initiating events which are likely to determine the site of pathology. The effects of activated CD4+ T-cells and the lymphokines they secrete in the chronic inflammatory process in the ocular tissues are discussed.