The Features of Inflammation Factors Concentrations in Aqueous Humor of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy.

Jie Hu,Xuan Leng,Zhixi Li,Lin Lu,Yijun Hu,Alp Atik,Yuhua Liu,Xin Song,Demetrios G Vavvas

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0147346

Abstract

PurposeTo investigate the cytokine concentrations in the aqueous humor of patients with refractory polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).MethodsThree separate groups of patients were studied–refractory PCV (Group A, 41 eyes), stable PCV (Group B, 39 eyes) and senile cataract (Group C, 44 eyes). Aqueous humor samples were collected at two time points for Groups A and B–before the first intravitreal ranibizumab injection and before the last injection. Aqueous humor samples were collected prior to phacoemulsification in Group C. The cytokine concentrations of interleukin 2, 6, and 8 (IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by cytometric bead array and flow cytometry.ResultsBefore the first treatment, the MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α levels in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05), and the MCP-1 and VEGF levels in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05). Significantly higher MCP-1 and VEGF levels were seen in Group B compared to Group C (P < 0.05). Before the final treatment, the MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α concentrations in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05). IL-2 levels were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05).ConclusionInflammatory cytokines such as MCP-1, VEGF, and TNF-α may be associated with the pathogenesis of both stable and refractory PCV.

Highlights

IL-2 levels were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.05). Inflammatory cytokines such as monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) may be associated with the pathogenesis of both stable and refractory Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV)
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a choroidal vascular disease characterized by a branching vascular network (BVN) and clinically visible orange–red subretinal nodules which originate from the choroidal vasculature [1]
Vertepofin photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or a combination of both have been proposed for the treatment of PCV, recurrence has been noted in some patients [2,3,4]

Summary

Introduction

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a choroidal vascular disease characterized by a branching vascular network (BVN) and clinically visible orange–red subretinal nodules which originate from the choroidal vasculature [1]. Different inflammatory biomarkers have been shown to be associated with PCV such as IL-23 and C-reactive protein (CRP) [5,6,7,8]. Some of these biomarkers have been associated with disease activity [5]. In the present study we showed elevated aqueous humor levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with both stable and refractory PCV compared to controls

Methods

Results

Conclusion