IL6 and inflammatory response: IL-1β triggered early (G17.5) mRNA expression of Il1b, Il6, Il8, Il12, Ccl2 and Tnfa in retina more than in choroid (Fig. 2G,H), which was associated with increased intra-ocular accumulation of Iba1+ cells (activated macrophage/microglia)48 (Fig. 2I), as reported in inflammation-associated retinopathy49; this Iba1+ cell accumulation is clearly distinct from the relatively low level of Iba1+ cells in control animals wherein it plays a role in normal retinal development50.