ABSTRACT
A wide range of mechanisms is in place to protect the eye from unwarranted immune insults. These mechanisms are generally successful in limiting the immune-mediated injuries, but in a small proportion, the immune assault overwhelms these protective mechanisms and disease, i.e., uveitis may be manifested. Gene therapy entails the transfer of genes encoding for immunomodulatory products that will alter the host immune responses. Gene therapy has had limited success to date because of concerns over a suitable gene transfer vehicle, the low efficiency of gene transfer, and problems related to immune reactions against the vector or the transferred therapeutic gene. Success in preclinical trials using gene therapy to treat an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis has lent support to clinical trials of gene therapy for autoimmune diseases. Preventive therapy with gene therapy aims to prevent the induction of intraocular inflammation in susceptible individuals. Gene therapy may also be used in the induction of peripheral tolerance.
