Infections Associated with Retinal Autoimmunity

John J. Hooks, Barbara Detrick, Robert Nussenblatt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter begins with a brief overview of infection and autoimmunity in the eye that is followed by specific examples of infections and autoimmunity in the retina. It reviews the evidence that three distinct classes of infectious agents have been implicated in the development of autoimmune processes within the retina. These data also indicate that distinct pathogenic mechanisms are involved in the induction of autoimmunity triggered by these three organisms. In T. gondii infections, the persistence and chronic reactivation of the organism is probably responsible for the introduction and presentation of sequestered retinal epitopes to the immune system. In O. volvulus infections, molecular mimicry between the organism and human RPE protein may contribute to the retinal pathology. In ECOR, similar processes are induced in coronavirus-infected mice displaying either retinal degeneration susceptibility or retina degeneration resistance. This chapter also highlights two human diseases triggered by Onchocerca volvulus or Toxoplasma gondii and an experimental model referred to as experimental coronavirus retinopathy (ECOR), triggered by the murine coronavirus, which is the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationInfection and Autoimmunity
PublisherElsevier
Pages691-700
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780444512710
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

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