Abstract
Purpose: :
Cytokines play a central role in the pathogenesis of corneal inflammatory disease (CID). Despite our current knowledge, the profile of different cytokines in human CID is not clear. Our aim was to determine the cytokine levels in patients with CID.
Methods: :
Tear samples were obtained from controls(n=5) and CID(n=8) patients. Controls were from a similar group & excluded on the basis of previous eye surgery, contact lens wear, blepharitis and use of eye drops. Simultaneous analysis of cytokine levels in collected tears were performed using multiplexed immunoassays. The mean levels of GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α were measured in both groups of patients.
Results: :
Mean cytokine levels for control and ulcer patients are shown in Fig 1 & 2. There were significant increased levels (p<0.05) of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 & GM-CSF in CID patients. There were also increases in TNF-α & IFN-γ, however, little change in IL-10.
Keywords: keratitis • cytokines/chemokines • inflammation