[Analysis of Cytokines Related to Helper T and Regulatory T Cells in the Vitreous of Uveitis Patients].

PURPOSE

To investigate helper T (Th) cell-related cytokines elevated in the vitreous of endogenous uveitis (EU), and to compare these with those of acute retinal necrosis (ARN).

METHODS

Vitreous fluids were obtained from 23 eyes of EU patients, 4 eyes of ARN patients, and 14 eyes of patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) who had had vitrectomy surgery. The vitreous levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, interferon (IFN)-γ, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured.

RESULTS

The vitreous cytokine levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-31, IFN-γ and TNF-α in the EU patients were significantly higher than in the ERM patients. On the other hand, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-31, IFN-γ, sCD40L and TNF-α were significantly higher in the ARN patients than in the EU patients, while those of IL-4, IL-17A and IL-22 were higher in the EU patients than in the ARN patients although they were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that Th1-, Th2- and Th17 cells are related to the development of EU, and Th1- and regulatory T cells to that of ARN, and that the severity of ocular inflammation may be associated with the activity of Th1 cells.