Non-infectious
uveitis is characterised by a breakdown of immunological tolerance. Several
cytokines could be identified as important regulators of the immune system during induction, progression and remission of ocular
inflammation in animal models. This review analyses the current knowledge on
cytokines in
uveitis and their relevance for diagnostic purposes. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory and decreased concentrations of anti-inflammatory
cytokines were detected in the aqueous humor and serum of
uveitis patients. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms of
cytokine genes altering expression levels were found to be associated with an increased risk of
uveitis. These studies, however, included only small or heterogeneous patient populations. Moreover, the reported data are partially inconsistent. Thus, the analysis of
cytokines does not play a role in the routine diagnostic process of
uveitis so far. New multiplex techniques for
cytokine analysis will provide comprehensive data for a better understanding of the complex regulation of the immune system during intraocular
inflammation. This may lead to a quantitative description of the immunological mechanisms of
uveitis in the individual patient to improve the prognostic evaluation and select the most efficient treatment.