Purpose: To review the role of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases (OSD).
Methods: A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items.
Results: APCs have the ability to initiate and direct immune responses and are found in most lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. APCs continuously sample their environment, present antigens to T cells and co-ordinate immune tolerance and responses. Many different types of APCs have been described and there is growing evidence that these cells are involved in the pathogenesis of OSD. OSD is a complex term for a myriad of disorders that are often characterized by ocular surface inflammation, tear film instability and impairment of vision.
Conclusions: This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the immunotopographical distribution of APCs in the normal ocular surface. APCs appear to play a critical role in the pathology of a number of conditions associated with OSD including infectious keratitis, ocular allergy, dry eye disease and pterygium.
Keywords: Antigen-presenting cells; Dendritic cells; Dry eye disease; Infectious keratitis; Ocular allergy; Ocular surface; Pterygium.