Molecular mechanism of fungal keratitis

Fungal keratitis, a common cause of cornea] infectious diseases, is an important contributor to vision loss. Toxins and exoenzymes released from infiltrating fungi led to damage of the comea. Matrix metalloproteinases played an important role in fungal keratitis. Recognition of fungi by pattern-recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors mediated the host to produce initiate and adaptive immune responses. Immunoprotection and inflammatory reaction which include numerous cells, cytokines and chemokines were involved in the responses of comea versus invading fungi. The cells and cytokines could protect cornea from fungi invasion but also cause some damage. The final outcome was depended upon the balance between impaired factors and repaired factors. A better understanding of molecular mechanism of the immunity and inflammation will provide new ideas for the treatment of fungal keratitis. The molecular mechanism of fungal keratitis was reviewed in this article. Key words: Keratitis;  Eye infections,fungal;  Immunity;  Cytokines;  Chemokines