Evaluation of Ocular Surface Inflammation in the Presence of Dry Eye and Allergic Conjunctival Disease

The ocular inflammatory diseases dry eye and allergic conjunctivitis are mediated by CD4+ T cells. Th1 cells secrete interferon (IFN)-γ and are implicated in mediating the disease process in dry eye. Allergic conjunctivitis has been classically defined as a Th2 disease because of the predominance of Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. A multi-hit antigen challenge mouse model of allergic conjunctivitis provides evidence that IFN-γ, a Th1 cytokine, acts as an endothelium gatekeeper by regulating endothelial expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 required for inflammatory conjunctival cell infiltration. Current research encourages an in-depth evaluation of the exact role Th1 and Th2 cells play in ocular inflammation.