Inflammasomes in Diseases of the Posterior Segment

The posterior segment of the eye is crucial for vision and is susceptible to various inflammatory conditions. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes of the innate immune system that act as sensors of cellular stress and danger signals and are increasingly recognized for their role in ocular inflammation and related pathologies. While innate immunity maintains retinal homeostasis, its dysregulation or overactivation can lead to chronic disease. Although inflammasome inhibitors have been shown to inhibit inflammation associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, including those affecting the eye, their role in many human eye diseases remains unclear. In this article we (i) provide background on the inflammasome pathway as it relates to the retina, choroid, and optic nerve, (ii) discuss the role of inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases of the posterior segment, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, and uveitis, and (iii) explore the efficacy of current anti-inflammasome therapies in ocular disease.