Table 3.

Regulatory and inflammatory cytokines present in varying concentrations on the ocular surface. Adapted from [23]. IL, interleukin; TNF, tumour necrosis factor.

Cytokine	Role within the Eye
IL-1	Triggers production of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα Stimulates cellular proliferation
IL-2	T cell activation and proliferation begins when this cytokine reaches the requisite concentration
IL-3	Growth and proliferation of pluripotent stem cells to replace old or damaged cells
IL-4	Starts off the Th2 allergic response
IL-6	Cellular growth Production of antibodies
IL-8	Chemotaxis—chemical gradient attraction of cells from one location to another
IL-10	Inhibits cytokine synthesis to stop a cellular reaction
TNFα	Activates T-cells Stimulates IL-1 and IL-6 synthesis