龙胆泻肝汤对葡萄膜炎大鼠关键炎症细胞因子表达的影响

目的 探讨龙胆泻肝汤对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎(experimental autoimmune uveitis,EAU)大鼠关键炎症细胞因子表达的影响.方法 Lewis大鼠随机分为对照组(6只)、EAU组(18只)和LXT组(18只).光感受器间维生素A结合蛋白(interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein,IRBP)免疫EAU组和LXT组大鼠,对照组大鼠注射等量不含IRBP的乳化液.使用实时荧光定量PCR及ELISA方法检测血液、淋巴结和脾脏中IFN-γ、IL-17、TNF-α和IL-10细胞因子在EAU大鼠体内治疗前后的变化情况.结果 LXT组大鼠全血中IFN-γ mRNA表达在第8天虽然高于对照组(P=0.000),但已显著低于EAU组(P=0.000);LXT组IL-17 mRNA在第12天达峰值,显著低于EAU组(P=0.000),且均显著高于对照组(P=0.000);TNF-α mRNA仅在第12天显著高于对照组(P=0.000),但低于EAU组(p=0.000);IL-10 mRNA表达在第16天高于EAU组(P =0.042).LXT组大鼠淋巴结和脾脏中IFN-y、IL-17和TNF-α mRNA表达在第12天显著低于EAU组(均为P =0.000);LXT组淋巴结中IL-10 mRNA表达在第8天开始显著高于对照组(P=0.001),且在整个炎症期均维持在较高水平;LXT组脾脏IL-10 mRNA表达在第12天达峰值,且高于对照组和EAU组(均为P=0.000).LXT组大鼠血清中IFN-y、IL-17和TNF-α蛋白表达水平在第12天和第16天均低于EAU组(均为P＜0.05);EAU组和LXT组血清中IL-10蛋白表达在第12天均高于对照组(均为P ＜0.05),第16天达峰值,但LXT组IL-10蛋白含量更高.结论 龙胆泻肝汤通过抑制IFN-γ、IL-17和TNF-oα相关炎症因子的表达发挥其抗炎作用,促进IL-10的表达,加速自身免疫炎症的恢复.龙胆泻肝汤可通过多种途径在EAU的治疗中发挥免疫调节作用.     

三氧化二砷对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎大鼠的治疗作用

目的探讨三氧化二砷（As2O3）对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（EAU）大鼠模型的治疗作用。方法将光感受器间维生素A类结合蛋白（IRBP）R14多肽免疫大鼠随机分为高剂量As2O3组、低剂量As2O3组、环孢素A（CsA）组和生理盐水组4组,每组5只,分别腹腔注射5 mg/kg As2O3、0.5 mg/kg As2O3、2 mg/kg CsA及生理盐水0.2 mL。裂隙灯显微镜观察大鼠眼前房炎症情况,第14天时处死大鼠,光学显微镜观察大鼠眼球的病理变化程度,免疫组织化学观察大鼠眼球中CD3＋T细胞的浸润情况,TUNEL法检测大鼠视网膜组织的凋亡。结果生理盐水组和0.5 mg/kg As2O3组可见明显的虹膜充血、血管扩张和脓性渗出,5 mg/kg As2O3组和CsA组前房炎症反应程度明显较轻,与生理盐水组比较,5 mg/kg As2O3组和CsA组的临床评分明显降低,差异均有统计学意义（tAs2O3 5 mg=-0.656,P=0.042;tCsA=-1.308,P=0.002）。组织病理学评分显示各组间差异有统计学意义（F=11.297,P=0.000）。与生理盐水组比较,As2O3组和CsA组的CD3＋T细胞浸润明显减少。TUNEL检测细胞凋亡在各组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论腹腔注射As2O3可以明显抑制EAU大鼠的临床表现、病理改变及CD3＋T细胞的浸润,未增加病变部位细胞的凋亡。     

利妥昔单抗对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎小鼠的抗炎作用及其机制

目的　探讨利妥昔单抗（RTX）对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（EAU）小鼠的抗炎作用及其机制。 方法　取SPF级6～8周龄健康雌性C57BL/6J小鼠27只,使用光感受器间维生素A类结合蛋白1-20(IRBP_1-20)建立EAU小鼠模型,将EAU小鼠随机分为PBS对照组、50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组和100 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组,每组各9只小鼠,PBS对照组小鼠腹腔注射PBS,50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组和100 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组小鼠每千克体重分别腹腔注射50 mg RTX和100 mg RTX。造模后第21天,对各组小鼠进行眼底图像的采集与视网膜组织HE切片的制作,通过小动物视网膜成像仪采集各组小鼠眼底图像并参照Caspi临床评分标准进行炎症评分,将HE染色切片置于显微镜下观察并进行拍照,参照Caspi组织病理学评分标准进行评分。采用实时荧光定量PCR检测各组小鼠视网膜组织白细胞介素（IL）-1β、IL-6、IL-4和IL-10的mRNA相对表达量。采用SPSS 21.0软件进行统计学分析。结果　眼底图像显示:PBS对照组EAU小鼠眼底出现多发性血管炎,血管扩张,视网膜脉络膜出现多发病灶及少量线样病变;50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组EAU小鼠眼底发生轻度血管炎,视网膜出现个别局部病灶,无线样病变;100 mg·kg^-1RTX实验组EAU小鼠视网膜局部出现个别病灶,无线样病变。PBS对照组、50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组和100 mg·kg^-1RTX实验组EAU小鼠眼底图像Caspi临床评分分别为（1.944±0.808）分、（1.667±0.791）分、（1.667±0.829）分,三组间比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。PBS对照组、50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组和100 mg·kg^-1RTX实验组EAU小鼠视网膜组织病理学评分分别为（1.563±1.116）分、（1.063±0.623）分、（1.250±0.655）分,三组间比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组和100 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组小鼠视网膜组织IL-6、IL-10 mRNA相对表达量以及IL-10/IL-6比值均高于PBS对照组（均为P<0.05）;100 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组小鼠视网膜组织IL-6、IL-10 mRNA相对表达量以及IL-10/IL-6比值均高于50 mg·kg^-1 RTX实验组（均为P<0.05）。结论　腹腔注射RTX可一定程度缓解EAU小鼠视网膜组织的炎性病变,其机制可能与RTX提高小鼠视网膜组织IL-10/IL-6比值有关。     

The role of the immune system in uveitis induced in animals

The etiological diagnosis in many cases of uveitis is hampered by the lack of insight into the pathogenesis of the disease. Animal models might provide clues for the understanding of the ocular and systemic processes leading to this invalidating disease. The immune system seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. Four main topics i.e. autoimmune phenomena, circulating immune complexes, effects of systemic endotoxin and bacterial or viral uveitis are reviewed. Autoimmune phenomena might cause the recurrence of uveitis after presentation of slightly altered self-antigens to the immune system. The endotoxin induced uveitis might be the initial event of recurrent episodes of uveitis caused by the deposition of immune complexes. Endotoxin might play a role in the so called HLA-B27 positive uveitis, mediated through tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-1. In this paper the characteristics of these animal models are described. Attention has been paid to those situations where several of these mechanisms combine in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases.     

龙胆泻肝汤对大鼠实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎的治疗作用

目的　探讨龙胆泻肝汤对大鼠实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（ｅｘｐｅｒｉｍｅｎｔａｌａｕｔｏ-ｉｍｍｕｎｅｕｖｅｉｔｉｓ,ＥＡＵ）的治疗作用。方法　Ｌｅｗｉｓ大鼠随机分为对照组６只、ＥＡＵ组１８只和ＬＸＴ组１８只,光感受器间维生素Ａ结合蛋白免疫ＥＡＵ组和ＬＸＴ组大鼠。观察大鼠生理特征及眼部炎症变化,出现葡萄膜炎症时给予ＬＸＴ组大鼠龙胆泻肝汤灌胃;免疫后１２ｄ比较各组大鼠眼组织病理学差异;免疫后每隔４ｄ检测房水蛋白及血清中白蛋白、球蛋白变化。结果　成功制备了ＥＡＵ大鼠模型;免疫后５ｄ大鼠开始出现葡萄膜炎症状,１２ｄ炎症最重。ＥＡＵ大鼠肛温在１ｄ、７ｄ、１０ｄ和１２ｄ高于对照组（Ｐ＝０．０２０、０．０００、０.０１５、０．００１）;免疫后１２ｄ,ＥＡＵ组房水蛋白浓度为（３６．０３±３．２３）ｇ?Ｌ－１,ＬＸＴ组为（２４．６７±２．６０）ｇ?Ｌ－１,差异有显著统计学意义（Ｐ＝０．０００）;组织病理学显示ＥＡＵ组视网膜结构破坏程度明显高于ＬＸＴ组（Ｐ＝０．０００）。ＥＡＵ组免疫后４ｄ、８ｄ及１２ｄ白蛋白均低于对照组（Ｐ＝０．０４５、０．０００、０.０３３）,ＬＸＴ组４ｄ和８ｄ白蛋白低于正常（Ｐ＝０.０４５、０．００５）,但１２ｄ时恢复至正常;１２ｄ时ＥＡＵ组球蛋白明显高于正常（Ｐ＝０．０４７）,ＬＸＴ组未见明显异常。结论　龙胆泻肝汤能有效减轻ＥＡＵ大鼠前房炎症,减少炎症细胞浸润,保护眼部组织结构,增强机体抗氧化能力,调节免疫状态,对ＥＡＵ发挥治疗作用。     

Comparison of uveitis induced by interleukin-8 (IL-8) and endotoxin in rabbits

IL-8 is a potent chemoattractant which has been postulated to play a role in the cytokine cascade associated with uveitis. The authors studied the effect of intravitreal IL-8 on the induction of uveitis in the rabbit. IL-8 at varying concentrations (1 ng, 10 ng or 100 ng) or endotoxin (100 ng) was injected intravitreally within the rabbit eye. At 6, 24 and 48 hours following injection the induction of uveitis was evaluated by clinical scoring, anterior chamber (AC) leukocyte count, AC protein concentration and histopathology in 15 rabbits. Only the 100 ng concentration of IL-8 induced uveitis at 6 and 24 hours by clinical scoring and AC leukocyte count; the AC protein concentration remained normal. In contrast, endotoxin caused a severe uveitis with a significant increase in all the parameters evaluated. The authors conclude that intravitreal IL-8, in the concentrations studied, induces a limited uveitis which is detectable at six hours and resolves within 48 hours. It is characterized by leukocyte infiltration without an increased AC protein concentration. Thus, IL-8 may play a role in the cytokine cascade involved in the induction of uveitis     

^99Tc—MDP对兔实验性葡萄膜炎的治疗作用

目的探讨^99锝-亚甲基二膦酸盐（^99Tc-MDP,云克）对兔实验性葡萄膜炎的治疗作用。方法实验兔22只随机分为生理盐水组、地塞米松组、云克组。ELISA法测定实验性葡萄膜炎兔动物模型造模前、造模后5d、给药治疗后10d、停药后5d、4个不同阶段白细胞介素（IL-2）、干扰素（IFN-γ）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）的血清质量浓度;浊度法及细胞技术池测定不同治疗阶段房水蛋白及房水细胞计数,于不同阶段摘除眼球行组织病理学观察。结果与生理盐水组比较,地塞米松组及云克组均可使兔血清IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF—α水平和房水细胞计数、房水蛋白质量浓度降低,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,地塞米松组与云克组2组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。地塞米松组及云克组在治疗后眼球的组织病理学显示炎症较治疗前减轻。结论云克在一定程度上有降低兔实验性葡萄膜炎血清IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF-α质量浓度及房水细胞计数、房水蛋白质量浓度以及减轻眼球炎症的作用。     

葡萄膜炎及其模型中相关细胞因子的研究进展

葡萄膜炎是一类严重损害视功能的炎症性疾病。葡萄膜炎发病机制尚不清楚,感染、外伤、肿瘤、自身免疫反应均可引起,以自身免疫反应引起者最为常见。近年来,细胞因子在自身免疫性疾病的炎症过程中所起作用成为研究热点之一,其在发病机制中的作用与疾病活动之间的关系越来越被关注,我们就干扰素、肿瘤坏死因子、白细胞介素、转化生长因子等与葡萄膜炎发病密切相关的细胞因子作一综述。     

实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎T淋巴细胞亚群与Treg细胞的表达研究

目的　探讨实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（ｅｘｐｅｒｉｍｅｎｔａｌａｕｔｏｉｍｍｕｎｅｕｖｅｉｔｉｓ,ＥＡＵ）新西兰兔模型外周血单个核细胞（ｐｅ-ｒｉｐｈｅｒａｌｂｌｏｏｄｍｏｎｏｎｕｃｌｅａｒｃｅｌｌｓ,ＰＢＭＣ）Ｔ淋巴细胞亚群的变化及其与疾病特征的相关性。方法　选取健康成年雄性新西兰大白兔４０只作为动物模型,用２０ｇ·Ｌ－１牛血清蛋白（ｂｏｖｉｎｅｓｅｒｕｍａｌｂｕｍｉｎ,ＢＳＡ）静脉注射和玻璃体内注射法建立ＥＡＵ模型,并观察模型眼炎症反应及ＰＢＭＣＴ淋巴细胞亚群特征。结果　ＣＤ４＋Ｔ细胞在ＥＡＵ兔的外周血中比例明显增加,且随时间的进展呈进行性增加,并与炎症反应呈正相关,相同的趋势可见于ＣＤ４＋／ＣＤ８＋Ｔ细胞比例。此外,Ｔｒｅｇ细胞趋势与ＣＤ４＋Ｔ细胞及ＣＤ４＋Ｔ／ＣＤ８＋Ｔ细胞比例相反,与炎症反应呈负相关。结论　ＣＤ４＋Ｔ细胞的优势性选择性克隆增殖及Ｔｒｅｇ细胞的降低有可能引发免疫功能紊乱并导致针对自身组织的免疫应答失去有效的负性调控,导致ＥＡＵ的发生及进行性加重。     

Th1、Th17细胞相关因子在实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎大鼠中的表达及作用

目的　探讨辅助性Ｔ细胞（Ｔｈｅｌｐｅｒｃｅｌｌｓ,Ｔｈ）１、Ｔｈ１７细胞相关因子在实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（ｅｘｐｅｒｉｍｅｎｔａｌａｕｔｏｉｍｍｕｎｅｕｖｅｉｔｉｓ,ＥＡＵ）中的表达及作用。方法　取清洁级纯系健康雌性Ｌｅｗｉｓ大鼠４０只随机分为ＥＡＵ组（３２只）和对照组（８只）,ＥＡＵ组用光感受器间维生素Ａ类结合蛋白诱导大鼠ＥＡＵ模型,进行临床症状评分,免疫组织化学方法检测造模后视网膜内干扰素（ｉｎｆｅｒｆｅｒｏｎ,ＩＦＮ）-γ、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（ｉｎｄｕｃｉｂｌｅｎｉｔｒｉｃｏｘｉｄｅｓｙｎｔｈａｓｅ,ｉＮＯＳ）、白细胞介素（ｉｎｔｅｒｌｅｕｋｉｎｅ,ＩＬ）-１７、ＩＬ-６的表达。ＥＬＩＳＡ法对比分析房水中各细胞因子的变化情况。结果　ＥＡＵ模型建立成功;造模后第１４天,视网膜损害以外层为主,视网膜内有大量炎细胞浸润,从而导致视网膜内结构紊乱,同时在视网膜的视锥、视杆细胞层和神经节细胞层ｉＮＯＳ、ＩＬ-１７、ＩＬ-６、ＩＦＮ-γ表达,细胞阳性率分别为２９％、４８％、５２％、７３％。在ＥＡＵ发病过程中,ＩＬ-６于造模后第７天迅速升高,第１０天达到高峰;ＩＬ-１７于造模后第１４天达到最高值,变化趋势与炎症进程一致;ＩＦＮ-γ在炎症后期仍有升高,于造模后第１６天达到最高值;ＩＬ-６、ＩＬ-１７、ＩＦＮ-γ与对照组相比,各时间点表达差异均有统计学意义（均为Ｐ＜０．０５）。ｉＮＯＳ在炎症进程中表达有所增加,但与对照组相比,各时间点的表达差异均无统计学意义（均为Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论　Ｔｈ１、Ｔｈ１７细胞相关因子调节网络共同参与实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎的发生发展。     

实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎大鼠的发病特点

背景 Lewis大鼠是建立实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎（EAU）动物模型的常用种系,对其发病特点,尤其是EAU大鼠眼部超微结构改变的研究尚未见报道. 目的 观察EAU大鼠的发病体征及其眼部超微结构的改变. 方法 选取SPF级6～8周龄雌性Lewis大鼠18只,采用随机数字表法随机分为对照组6只和模型组12只.模型组大鼠后肢足底、两侧腹壁和躯干上皮下各注射含有光感受器间维生素A类结合蛋白（IRBP,1177-1191）和结核菌素（TB）的完全弗氏佐剂（CFA）乳化液,对照组大鼠不作处理.注射后观察两组大鼠饮食、体温和活动情况,每天裂隙灯显微镜下观察大鼠眼部炎症表现,于免疫后12d获取大鼠眼组织标本,对虹膜、睫状体和视网膜进行常规组织病理学检查,并分别在扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜下观察虹膜、睫状体和视网膜的超微结构改变.结果 模型组大鼠免疫后采食量为（190.00± 18.03）g,明显少于对照组的（285.33±28.02）g,差异有统计学意义（t=4.955,P=0.012）;模型组和对照组大鼠的饮水量分别为（241.67±18.56）ml和（289.67±18.18）ml,差异有统计学意义（t=3.201,P=0.033）;模型组大鼠体温升高,精神倦怠.裂隙灯显微镜下观察发现,模型组大鼠免疫后6d出现虹膜充血、前房积脓和瞳孔膜闭,免疫后12d眼部炎症最严重,炎症评分为（3.83±0.41）分,而对照组大鼠眼前节未见异常.组织病理学检查发现,模型组大鼠前房、虹膜、睫状体组织和玻璃体腔内均可见大量淋巴细胞、中性粒细胞和单核巨噬细胞浸润.扫描电子显微镜下可见模型组大鼠虹膜肌纤维粗细不均,睫状体上皮表面粗糙及RPE细胞绒毛疏松.透射电子显微镜下观察可见,模型组大鼠虹膜单核巨噬细胞浸润,睫状体上皮细胞膜褶皱蓬松及排列紊乱,视网膜Müller细胞中有髓样小体,RPE细胞中有线粒体空泡出现,而对照组大鼠虹膜、睫状体及     

Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells administered at later phase of recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis

AIM: To test the therapeutic effects of delayed treatment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis (rEAU). METHODS: The efficacy of different regimens of MSC administration in rEAU were tested by evaluation of clinical and pathological intraocular inflammation, as well as retinal structural and functional integrity using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinogram (ERG). The retinal sections were also immunostained with antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and rhodopsin (RHO). RESULTS: Delayed treatment of MSCs effectively alleviated the severity of intraocular inflammation with relative intact of outer retinal structure and function. Moreover, double therapies with longer interval led to an even better clinical evaluation, as well as a trend of decrease in relapse and amelioration of retinal function. MSC therapies also effectively reduced GFAP expression and increased RHO expression in the retina. CONCLUSION: MSC administration can effectively treat developed diseases of rEAU, and multiple therapies can provide additional therapeutic benefits.     

龙胆泻肝汤对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎大鼠补体C4、MBL2表达的影响

目的探讨龙胆泻肝汤(Longdan Xiegan decoction,LXD)对实验性自身免疫性葡萄膜炎(experimental autoimmune uveitis,EAU)大鼠的治疗作用及对血清中C4、MBL2蛋白表达水平的影响。方法 54只Lewis大鼠用随机数字表法分为正常对照组、EAU组和LXD组,其中EAU组、LXD组大鼠制备EAU模型,LXD组造模后使用LXD每天灌胃处理,EAU组给予等量生理盐水灌胃。免疫后12 d使用激光扫描检眼镜(scanning laser ophthalmoscope,SLO)观察三组大鼠眼底炎症,并取三组大鼠同侧眼球进行病理切片,观察视网膜组织病理学变化;分离三组大鼠的脾脏和淋巴结,收集T淋巴细胞,流式细胞仪检测CD4⁺/CD8⁺细胞比例的变化;酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血清中C4、MBL2蛋白的表达水平。结果 SLO检查结果显示,与正常对照组相比,EAU组大鼠屈光间质不清,无法观察眼底视网膜及血管情况;LXD组大鼠眼底血管...     

Advances in the studies on cytokine and chemokine gene polymorphisms associated with uveitis

Uveitis is an inflammation of any or all parts of the uveal tract including the iris, ciliary body and the choroid. Despite current advances in diagnosis and management, visual loss occurs in 35%-45% of patients with uveitis. The etiopatho- genesis of uveitis remains unknown; it may be associated with environmental and immunogenetic factors. Many studies have demonstrated polymorphisms in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, which may determine involvement in uveitis. Recently polymorphisms in non-MHC genes, including cytokine and chemokine genes, have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of uveitis. We reviewed the advances in the studies on cytokine and chemokine gene polymorphisms associated with uveitis.     

葡萄膜炎相关细胞因子与趋化因子基因多态性的研究进展

葡萄膜炎是一组累及虹膜、睫状体、脉络膜或三者同时受累的炎症性病变。尽管目前对葡萄膜炎的诊断和治疗有了很大的进展,仍有35％-45％患者视力最终丧失。其病因和发病机制仍不太清楚,可能与环境及免疫遗传因素有关。很多研究显示人类组织相容性抗原基因多态性在葡萄膜炎的发病中起重要作用;近年来,非人类组织相容性抗原基因包括细胞因子和趋化因子基因亦被报道在葡萄膜炎的发病机制中起重要作用。本文对葡萄膜炎相关的细胞因子和趋化因子基因多态性的研究进展进行综述。     

火把花根治疗伤寒杆菌内毒素所致大鼠葡萄膜炎

目的 观察中药火把花根片对伤寒杆菌内毒素诱导的大鼠葡萄膜炎动物模型的治疗作用。方法 用中药火把花根片治疗伤寒杆菌内毒素诱导的葡萄膜炎动物模型,并设立不造模的空白对照组、生理盐水对照组和醋酸强的松治疗组作为对照,通过临床观察和病理学研究,探讨火把花根片对葡萄膜炎的治疗作用。结果 火把花根片治疗组与生理盐水治疗组相比炎症明显减轻,火把花根片治疗组与强的松治疗组的疗效相比没有显著差异。结论 火把花根片对伤寒杆菌内毒素诱导的动物模型有与强的松一样明显的治疗作用。     

Elevated Levels of Interleukin 6 in the Vitreous Fluid of Patients with Pars Planitis and Posterior Uveitis: The Massachusetts Eye & Ear Experience and Review of Previous Studies

Introduction: Although the exact mechanisms that lead to uveitis are not entirely known, the role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of this disease has been shown to be important. Prior studies described the presence of an array of cytokines in the intraocular fluid of patients with uveitis. Review of these studies indicate that Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is present, and animal data suggest the important role of IL-6 in the regulation of ophthalmologic immune responses. Purpose: We investigated whether IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha, beta, IL-2 are present in the vitreous of patients with active intermediate and posterior uveitis. Methods: Vitreous specimens were collected from 23 eyes of patients with active intermediate and posterior uveitis who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic vitrectomies. TNF-alpha, IL-1 alpha and beta, IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Eight vitreous fluid samples from eye bank eyes were used as control. Results: IL-6 was higher in the vitreous of patients with uveitis compared to control samples (p = 0.0119). No TNF-alpha, IL-2, IL1-alpha or beta was detected. The levels of IL-6 did not correlate with a specific clinical diagnosis, but patients with pars planitis and panuveitis had the highest levels (p = 0.58) Conclusions: IL-6 is elevated in the vitreous of patients with active intermediate and posterior uveitis.