Abstract
Purpose: :
The cytokine level in the vitreous fluid of patients who suffer from sarcoidosis has yet to be well investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of 27 cytokines that exist in the vitreous fluid of patients with sarcoidosis.
Methods: :
This study involved three sarcoidosis patients. Undiluted vitreous samples were collected from the vitreous cavity of each patient during routine examination. Those samples were then analyzed for the levels of 27 cytokines using a multiplex ELISA BioplexTM suspension array system. We measured the levels of derived growth factor (PDGF) bb, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, eotaxin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) basic, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon gamma, interferon gamma inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) 1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1a, MIP-1b, regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Results: :
Vitreous concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, IP-10, and MCP-1 were higher in the patients with sarcoidosis than in other uveits or epithelial retinal membrane samples. However, the vitreous concentrations of RANTES were lower. Vitreous levels of IP-10 and MCP-1 in patients with sarcoidosis were equivalent to the level of those cytokines in patients with acute retinal necrosis.
Conclusions: :
The results of this study show that the multiplex ELISA BioplexTM suspension array system is a useful system for measuring the levels of cytokines in the vitreous fluid of patients with sarcoidosis. In addition, our results suggest that IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and MCP-1 may be involved in the pathology in eyes with sarcoid uveitis.
Keywords: cytokines/chemokines • inflammation • vitreous