A recent paper (1) confirmed the previous finding  (2) of the involvement of the T helper 17 (th17) cells in birdshot. Th17 cells are associated with autoimmune diseases and are also involved in diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and behcet disease (also associated with uveitis).

(1)Yang P, Foster CS. Interleukin 21, Interleukin 23, and Transforming Growth
Factor β1 in HLA-A29-Associated Birdshot Retinochoroidopathy. Am J Ophthalmol.
2013 Apr 23. doi:pii: S0002-9394(13)00168-2. 10.1016/j.ajo.2013.03.004.

(2)Kuiper JJ, Mutis T, de Jager W, de Groot-Mijnes JD, Rothova A. Intraocular
interleukin-17 and proinflammatory cytokines in HLA-A29-associated birdshot
chorioretinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2011 Aug;152(2):177-182.e1. doi:
10.1016/j.ajo.2011.01.031.

The research  suggest the importance of systemic therapy and offer new insights into the potential of targeted treatments for Birdshot Uveitis.