Glaucoma is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor however, mechanisms independent of IOP play a role in RGC pathology. Both antibodies and CD4 T-cells as well as microbiota take part in the pathogenesis of both glaucoma and rheumatoid arteritis (RA).Heat shock proteins (HSPs) which originate in bacteria cross-react with RCG epitopes and were involved in rat model of retinal injury. Enhanced expression of HSPs in the retina was associated with glaucoma-like neuropathology and previous studies have also suggested a pathogenic role for HSPs in RA. In view of these data we suggest that glaucoma should be included in the spectrum of autoimmune diseases and that proven medications for RA should be adopted as an innovative IOP -independent therapeutic strategy for glaucoma.

中文翻译：

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青光眼是一种自身免疫性疾病。

青光眼的特征在于视网膜神经节细胞（RGC）神经变性。眼内压升高（IOP）是主要的危险因素，但是，独立于IOP的机制在RGC病理中起作用。抗体和CD4 T细胞以及微生物群均参与青光眼和类风湿性关节炎（RA）的发病机理。热休克蛋白（HSP）起源于细菌与RCG表位交叉反应，并参与了视网膜模型受伤。HSPs在视网膜中的增强表达与青光眼样神经病理学有关，以前的研究也提示HSPs在RA中具有致病作用。