Abstract
Purpose: :
To measure cytokine concentrations in aqueous humor of eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema.
Methods: :
A study group of 24 patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema, who received an intravitreal drug injection, and a control group of 24 patients undergoing cataract surgery were compared. Aqueous humor samples were obtained at the beginning of each procedure. The cytokine concentrations were measured using a solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay.
Results: :
In the study group as compared to the control group, significantly higher concentrations were measured for epithelial growth factor (EGF)(P<0.001), human growth factor (HGF)(P<0.001), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1)(P<0.001), interleukin 1a2 (IL 1a2)(P=0.04), interleukin 6 (IL6)(P=0.001), interleukin 8 (IL 8)(P<0.001), interferon-gamma induced protein (IP10)(P=0.004), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (P<0.001), monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG) (P<0.001), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1)(P=0.02), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9)(P<0.001), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1)(P<0.001), placenta growth factor (PlGF)(P<0.001), tissue growth factor beta (TGF-ß)(P=0.003), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)(P<0.001), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)(P<0.001). Both groups did not vary significantly in the concentrations of fibroblast growth factor beta, interferon alpha, beta, gamma, interleukin 1b,2,3,4,5,10,IL12p40,IL12p70, monocyte chemoattractant protein-3, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, platelet-derived growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor 1, transforming growth factor alpha, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand.
Conclusions: :
These data may be of interest to find cytokines associated with diabetic macular edema in addition to those already known to be related with the disease. It may help to develop new treatment strategies neutralizing cytokines found in abnormally high concentrations in eyes with diabetic macular edema.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • aqueous • cytokines/chemokines