The eye on the daily front lines...
The evolution of the ocular immune system is a fascinating journey spanning billions of years. This complex system emerged from primitive cellular responses, with innate immunity taking shape around 2.5 billion years ago.
Over time, the development of adaptive immunity, characterized by antigen specificity appeared in vertebrates approximately 500 million years ago. And as the eye developed, its immune system adapted its own unique protective mechanisms to safeguard vision by maintaining a delicate balance with respect to various ocular tissues.
For example, the eye's immune response is carefully regulated, with powerful reactions in barrier tissues like the cornea but more attenuated responses in the retina. This evolutionary process has resulted in a finely-tuned system which defends against pathogens while minimizing inflammation which can damage these same delicate ocular structures.
For us, appreciating this evolutionary story matters for understanding ocular immune responses when deciding on management strategies for our patients.
- JRM
Go to the article in Nature: Eye
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