scholarly journals Aqueous humor cytokine levels through microarray analysis and a sub-analysis based on optical coherence tomography in wet age-related macular degeneration patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Ho Joo ◽  
Hyejee Kim ◽  
Jae-Ho Shin ◽  
Sang Woong Moon

Abstract Background To identify disease-specific cytokine and growth factor profile differences in the aqueous humor between wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and age-matched controls and to correlate their levels with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Methods Aqueous humors were obtained from 13 wet AMD eyes and 10 control eyes. Twenty cytokines and growth factors were measured using a RayBio antibody microarray technology in wet AMD and control eyes. Results The samples obtained from wet AMD patients exhibited a significantly increased expression of MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subretinal fluid (SRF) patients showed significantly lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α and GM-CSF, than those without SRF. Pigment epithelial detachments (PED) patients showed lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, than those without PED. Subretinal tissue (SRT) patients showed a higher level of IFN-γ than those without SRT. Compared with the controls, type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) patients showed increased levels of MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β, but not VEGF (p = 0.083). However, type 2 MNV patients showed increased levels of MCP-1 and VEGF (p = 0.040 and p = 0.040). Conclusion Inflammatory cytokines varied according to the type of AMD- and OCT-based parameters. Our observation of low levels of VEGF in patients with type 1 MNV implies that the inhibition of VEGF alone appears to be insufficient treatment for these patients and that cytokines such as MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β should be modulated. And the presence of SRF in MNV may be associated with a positive prognosis because we found relatively low levels of proinflammatory cytokines.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Ho Joo ◽  
Hyejee Kim ◽  
Jae-Ho Shin ◽  
Sang Woong Moon

Abstract Backgorund To identify disease-specific cytokine and growth factor profile differences in the aqueous humor between wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and age-matched controls and to correlate their levels with the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.MethodsAqueous humors were obtained from 13 wet AMD eyes and 10 control eyes. Twenty cytokines and growth factors were measured using a RayBio antibody microarray technology in wet AMD and control eyes. Results The samples obtained from wet AMD patients exhibited a significantly increased expression of MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subretinal fluid (SRF) patients showed significantly lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1α and GM-CSF, than those without SRF. Pigment epithelial detachments (PED) patients showed lower levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, than those without PED. Subretinal tissue (SRT) patients showed a higher level of IFN-γ than those without SRT. Compared with the controls, type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) patients showed increased levels of MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β, but not VEGF (p = 0.083). However, type 2 CNV patients showed increased levels of MCP-1 and VEGF (p = 0.040 and p = 0.040). Conclusion Inflammatory cytokines varied according to the type of AMD- and OCT-based parameters. Our observation of low levels of VEGF in patients with type 1 CNV implies that the inhibition of VEGF alone appears to be insufficient treatment for these patients and that cytokines such as MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β should be modulated. And the presence of SRF in CNV may be associated with a positive prognosis because we found relatively low levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Thus, treatment decisions for patients with wet AMD should be based on OCT-based biomarkers and angiographic classification schemes, and in patients with wet AMD, which is not treated well with anti-VEGF alone, it is necessary to analyze inflammatory cytokines.


Pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) is a novel clinical entity with typical pachychoroid features accompanied by type 1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Typical optical coherence tomography finding of the disease is flat irregular pigment epithelial detachments (double layer sign). Type 1 CNV between retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch membrane is seen as a tangled network on optical coherence tomography angiography. Differential diagnosis of PNV from neovascular age-related macular degeneration is especially important because of the different epidemiological, genetic, and therapeutic features of these diseases. Current treatment approaches include intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and photodynamic therapy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 739-748.e2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kuehlewein ◽  
Mayank Bansal ◽  
Tamara L. Lenis ◽  
Nicholas A. Iafe ◽  
SriniVas R. Sadda ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Pencak ◽  
Miroslav Veith

Abstract Background To present a case report of a patient with a mixed choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) with an asymmetric response to ranibizumab diagnosed on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTa). Case presentation A 61-year-old male was referred to our department in September 2017 due to decreased vision in his left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 43 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters in the left eye. Macular edema was present in the left eye, and a mixed CNV was identified on the OCTa. Therapy with intravitreal ranibizumab was commenced. After 5 ranibizumab injections, the BCVA was 42 ETDRS letters, and considerable intraretinal edema was still present. OCTa showed a resolution of the type 2 lesion of the mixed CNV; however, the type 1 lesion had continued to grow. The patient was then switched to intravitreal aflibercept. After 3 monthly aflibercept injections, the BCVA improved to 53 ETDRS letters, and a reduction of the edema was observed on the optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCTa showed a decrease in both the area and vessel density in the type 1 lesion of the CNV. Therapy with aflibercept was continued; however, while the intraretinal edema continued to improve, atrophy developed in the macula and the BCVA worsened to 43 ETDRS letters. Conclusions Ranibizumab nonresponse in a neovascular age-related macular degeneration is not uncommon. However, to our knowledge, this is the first described case of an asymmetric response to ranibizumab in a mixed CNV. While the type 2 lesion of the CNV reacted swiftly to the ranibizumab therapy, the type 1 lesion continued to grow. As with some other cases of ranibizumab resistance, switching to aflibercept proved effective.


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