[Day-2] Lecture Series 4 (Autoimmunity and Inflammation)


Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas spoke about autoimmune uveitis and scleritis. 50% and 90% of uveitis and scleritis respectively are non-infectious or autoimmune. Immunological tests, multidisciplinary evaluation, and management are often necessary. Immunomodulators with corticosteroids are often necessary. Biologics have emerged as a new weapon in the armamentarium.

Dr. Swaminathan Sethu discussed the immune-mechanism unique to ophthalmic-associated inflammations. The basic mechanism in ocular conditions is that immune privilege to dampen the general inflammation and deviate the specific immunogenicity is lost. When one or more of the following conditions occur i.e., infection/injury or blood ocular barrier beaches or dampeners/ intraocular resolvers are compromised, it leads to clinical presentation in the eye diseases.

Autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder- introduction to clinical variety was discussed by Dr. Shekhar Neema. Pemphigus group of disorders and urticaria are the B cell meditated skin diseases. Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, parapsoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, GVHD, and contact dermatitis are T cell-mediated skin diseases.

Dr. Chandrashekara. S discussed the Immune-Mechanism of Autoimmune related Inflammatory Diseases of Skin. Skin is not a protective layer but also an active organ that can defend itself, repair itself, and can influence the immune system response. Autoantibody against the same antigen can have different immune responses and different clinical presentations. When multiple immune mechanisms are activated at the skin interface, SLE rashes and psoriasis overlap with eczema.

Watch this video to learn more about the immune mechanisms in autoimmune-related ophthalmic and skin diseases.