Ocular Autoimmune Diseases
Ocular autoimmune diseases involve the immune system mistakenly attacking eye tissues, leading to inflammation and damage, such as in Sjögren's syndrome and thyroid eye disease. Our company is well-equipped to address your drug and therapy development requirements in Ocular Autoimmune Diseases therapy.
Overview of Ocular Autoimmune Diseases
Ocular autoimmune diseases include a variety of conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the eye. Common manifestations include uveitis, scleritis, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, with uveitis alone having an annual incidence of 17.4 to 52.4 per 100,000 people and a prevalence ranging from 38 to 714 per 100,000 people. These diseases often accompany systemic autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Sjögren's syndrome, and their prevalence can vary widely based on the specific underlying condition and demographic factors.
Pathogenesis of Ocular Autoimmune Diseases
The pathogenesis of ocular autoimmune diseases involves a complex interplay of immune mechanisms. Immune privilege in the eye is maintained through local and systemic pathways to preserve vision, yet microglial cells may initiate autoimmune responses. The autoimmune reactions in the eye often involve the loss of tolerance to self-antigens, such as S-antigen and interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), leading to inflammation. Environmental triggers, genetic predispositions, and molecular mimicry are critical factors that contribute to the development of these diseases.
Fig. 1 Different locations of the body that are affected by autoimmune diseases. (Glover, K., et al., 2021)Types of Ocular Autoimmune Diseases
Tab. 1 Ocular Manifestations of Autoimmune Disease. (Patel, S.J. and Lundy, D.C., 2002)
| Ocular manifestation | Clinical trewfeatures |
|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, scleritis, episcleritis, keratitis, ulcerative keratitis, choroiditis, retinal vasculitis, episcleral nodules, retinal detachments, macular edema |
| Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis | Uveitis |
| Sjögren's syndrome | Keratoconjunctivitis sicca |
| Ankylosing spondylitis | Uveitis |
| Reiter's syndrome | Uveitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis |
| Enteropathic arthritis | Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, conjunctivitis, uveitis, episcleritis, scleritis, keratitis, retinal hemorrhages, retinal vasculitis, proliferative retinopathy, optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, hemianopia, amaurosis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, pupillary abnormalities, oculomotor abnormalities, visual hallucinations |
| Psoriatic arthritis | Afferent: optic neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, visual field defects Efferent: internuclear ophthalmoplegia, dysmetria, nystagmus, cranial nerve palsies |
| Giant cell arteritis | Amaurosis fugax, diplopia, vision loss |
| Graves' disease | Proptosis/exophthalmos, lid lag and retraction, keratitis, decreased visual acuity, reduced visual fields, relative afferent pupillary defect, loss of color vision |
| Myasthenia gravis | Diplopia, eyelid ptosis |
| Sarcoidosis | Uveitis, conjunctival nodules, cranial nerve palsies, enlarged lacrimal glands, optic neuropathy |
| Wegener's granulomatosis | Proptosis/exophthalmos, orbital cellulitis, uveitis, corneal ulcers, optic neuropathy |
| Behçet's syndrome | Uveitis, hypopyon |
| Antiphospholipid syndrome | Vaso-occlusive retinopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy |
| Polyarteritis nodosa | Episcleritis, scleritis, optic neuropathy |
| Takayasu's arteritis | Vaso-occlusive retinopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, cataracts |
| Dermatomyositis | Eyelid/conjunctival edema, retinopathy, uveitis |
Therapeutics Development of Neovascular Glaucoma
Small molecule drugs are typically organic compounds with low molecular weight that can modulate biological processes by interacting with specific molecular targets. Methotrexate, azathioprine, and cyclosporine are small molecules that suppress the immune system to prevent it from attacking ocular tissues.
Gene therapies treat diseases by introducing genetic material into cells to correct or regulate gene expression. CRISPR/Cas9, shows promise in addressing genetic mutations. Current research is exploring how it can accurately edit genes in retinal cells, potentially preventing or treating retinal degeneration.
Cell therapies focus on transplanting cells to repair or replace damaged tissues or to modulate immune responses. iPSCs, derived from individual's own cells, can be differentiated into retinal cells. Current research is investigating the use of iPSCs for regenerating retinal tissue in cases of autoimmune retinopathies.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are engineered proteins that can specifically bind to target molecules, modulating immune responses or signaling pathways. Tocilizumab targets the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) and is used to treat autoimmune uveitis by reducing inflammation and immune activation.
Our Services
Our company adopts a partnership-driven approach. We collaborate closely with clients to craft tailored, innovative Ocular Autoimmune Diseases therapy strategies and ensure robust support throughout the process.
Platforms of Ocular Autoimmune Diseases Therapy Development
Animal Models of Ocular Autoimmune Diseases
We have established expertise in developing and utilizing relevant animal models that closely mimic the disease characteristics and response to therapy. These models enable us to evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential therapies.
| Chemical Induced Models | ||
| We provide diverse model choices customized to meet specific research needs related to Ocular Autoimmune Diseases. These models allow researchers to simulate and study the complex biological processes associated with Ocular Autoimmune Diseases. | ||
Optional Models |
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| Genetically Engineered Models | ||
| Our expertise in genetic engineering techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9 technology, allows us to generate accurate and reliable models that recapitulate the genetic alterations observed in human Ocular Autoimmune Diseases. | ||
Optional Models |
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| Optional Species | Mice, Rats, Non-human primates, Others | |
In addition to these models, our comprehensive services encompass other models that target specific signaling pathways and molecular targets.
If our services align with your goals, please contact us for more details.
References
- Glover, K., et al., "Epidemiology of Ocular Manifestations in Autoimmune Disease." Front Immunol, (2021). 12: p. 744396.
- Patel, S.J. and Lundy, D.C., "Ocular manifestations of autoimmune disease." Am Fam Physician, (2002). 66(6): p. 991-998.
- Generali, E., et al., "Ocular Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases." Clin Rev Allergy Immunol, (2015). 49(3): p. 263-270.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.