Analyzing cytokines as biomarkers to evaluate severity of glaucoma.

AIM

To analyze cytokines as biomarkers for evaluation of severity of glaucoma.

METHODS

This was a prospective case-control study including 29 eyes with glaucoma. Besides, 28 eyes with senile cataract were used as control. Patients were classified into four groups: acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG), chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and senile cataract. Undiluted vitreous samples were collected, then vitreous concentrations of 9 types of cytokines were determined by cytometric bead assay system: γ-interferon (IFNg), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We also recorded the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients in each group and Pearson correlated analysis was performed to analysis the correlation between each type of cytokine with IOP.

RESULTS

Vitreous levels of IL-2, IL-5, MCP-1, TNF-α and IP-10 were significantly higher (<0.05) in AACG group. Patients with AACG, CACG and POAG have higher IOP than senile cataract, but we didn't find any significant correlation between IOP with any type of the cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Inflammation and immune reaction have a strong link with the pathology of glaucoma especially AACG. Some cytokines may act as biomarkers to evaluate the severity of glaucoma. Anti-inflammatory treatments and controlling of IOP are necessary for the therapy of glaucoma.