Table 2.

Summary of the actions of cytokines detected on the ocular surface in ocular allergy and contact lens wear. Adapted from Broide et al. to specify allergy and cytokine interactions [21,30,31,32,33]. IL, interleukin; TNF, tumour necrosis factor; IFN, interferon.

Cytokine	Actions
IL-1β	Induces fever Proinflammatory Stimulates synthesis of other cytokines
IL-2	Promotes allergic reactions
IL-4	Upregulates allergic reaction mediator cells
IL-5	Increases proliferation of allergic B cells in eosinophil-mediated ocular allergy
IL-6	Promotes allergic cell differentiation
IL-8	Chemotactic
IL-10	Inhibition of allergic responses Downregulation of inflammatory cytokines
IL-12	Supresses allergy Upregulates IFNγ
IL-13	Promotes antibody production Upregulates chemotactic cytokines Inhibits cytokine secretion
TNFα	Chemotactic Increases cytokine secretion
IFNγ	Inhibits allergic reactions