Abstract
Purpose: :
To examine intraocular concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: :
The clinical interventional comparative study included a study group of 28 patients (28 eyes) with exudative AMD and a control group of 25 patients (25 eyes) with cataract. The concentrations of MCP-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and VEGF in aqueous humor samples obtained during surgery were measured using a solid-phase chemiluminescence immunoassay.
Results: :
The aqueous concentrations of sICAM-1 (844±2073 pg/mL versus 246±206 pg/mL; P<0.001), sVCAM-1 (7978±7120 pg/mL versus 2999±1426 pg/mL; P 0.001) and MCP-1 (587±338 pg/mL versus 435±221 pg/mL;P=0.07) were higher in the study group than in the control group. The concentration of VEGF did not vary significantly (P=0.76) between both groups. The MCP-1 concentration was significantly associated with the macular thickness (r=0.40;P=0.004). It decreased significantly (P=0.009) with the type of subfoveal neovascular membrane (classic membrane type - occult membrane - retinal pigment epithelium detachment). The concentrations of the other cytokines were not significantly (P>0.25) associated with membrane type and macular thickness.
Conclusions: :
MCP-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 are significantly associated with exudative AMD, even in the presence of normal VEGF concentrations. Intraocular MCP-1 concentrations correlated with the subfoveal neovascular membrane type and with the amount of macular edema. One may infer that MCP-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 are involved in the pathogenesis of exudative AMD and may potentially be additional target molecules for the therapy of exudative AMD.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • pathobiology • cytokines/chemokines