Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of this study is to compare the serum levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, sIL–2R, IL–2, IL–4, IL–6, IL–12, and IFN–gamma between patients with open angle glaucoma and normal subjects at distinct stages of glaucomatous neuropathy.
Methods: :
Total 32 patients with primary open–angle glaucoma (POAG) as glaucoma group and 26 normal individuals as control group were analyzed. Cytokines sIL–2R, IL–2, IL–4, IL–6, IL–12, and IFN–gamma were assayed by Enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then compared their mean concentrations in different groups. The visual fields were examined in all 32 patients with the severe glaucomatous optic neuropathy eyes in glaucoma group and divided into 2 groups according to their Mean Defect (MD) levels with less or more than 12dB. Statistical study of each cytokines between each groups is performed.
Results: :
Patients in glaucoma group exhibited significantly higher levels of IL–4 (P=0.035, T=2.180) and lower levels of IL–6 (P=0.024, T=2.339) and IL–12 (P=0.0001, T=4.104) than control subjects respectively. There were no significant differences of serum levels between POAG patients and control groups in IL–2 (P>0.05, T=0.088), sIL–2R (P>0.05, T=0.915), and IFN–gamma (P>0.05, T=0.001). Patients with severe optic neuropathy (MD>=12dB group) exhibited significantly higher levels of sIL–2R (P=0.032, T=2.353) and IL–4 (P=0.028, T=2.422) than MD0.05, T=–0.866), IL–12 (P>0.05,T=0.145) and IFN–gamma (P>0.05, T=0.884).
Conclusions: :
Balances of Th1 and Th2 cytokines is critical for normal immune responses and inflammatory processes. Decreasing of Th1 cytokines IL–12 and IL–6 and increasing of Th2 cytokine IL–4 in POAG population suggests that a possibility of abnormal immune environments contributes to glaucomatous neuropathy of POAG. Furthermore these unbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines are also related to the severe optic neuropathy in the patients with POAG.
Keywords: immunomodulation/immunoregulation • cytokines/chemokines • retinal degenerations: cell biology