Chronic inflammation in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been thought to occur along with retinal degeneration; however, a recent accumulating body of evidence demonstrated that chronic inflammation also positively contributes to the progression of RP pathology. We recently reported that aqueous flare values, a surrogate marker of intraocular inflammation, were increased and negatively correlated with central visual function in patients with RP. In animal models of RP, inflammatory reaction, including the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, was observed in an early phase of retinal degeneration, and retinal degeneration was substantially attenuated by suppressing the activation of inflammatory cells. These findings indicate that chronic inflammation exacerbates photoreceptor cell death in RP. Here we summarize our recent findings on the roles and molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammation in RP.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi (J Jpn Ophthalmol Soc) 121: 857-863, 2017.