Abstract

Uveitis refers to a group of ocular inflammatory diseases that can lead to blindness. For years, researchers have been trying to decipher the underlying mechanisms and develop therapeutic strategies using the model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). Recently, αA-crystallin has been found to be upregulated in EAU and can even ameliorate its severity through different mechanisms, suggesting its use as a potent therapeutic factor against uveitis. Here we review the protective role of αA-crystallin and discuss its functional mechanisms in EAU.

Keywords: αA-crystallin, experimental autoimmune uveitis, gene therapy, uveitis.