Comparison of Cytokine Levels in the Aqueous Humor of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy and Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients
Abstract Background The concentrations of cytokines in the aqueous humor from neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may vary. The study was conducted to compare various cytokine levels in the aqueous humor of eyes with PCV, nAMD and control.Methods The present case control study included 49 treatment-naïve eyes from 49 patients (PCV 24, nAMD 11, and cataract 14 eyes). Totally 34 angiogenic and inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor were measured by Luminex bead-based multiplex array.Results The aqueous humor levels of IL-8 and IL-12p70 in the nAMD group were significantly higher than the PCV group (p=0.031, p=0.012, respectively). The levels of IL-8, IL-18, IL-21, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, FGF-basic, VEGF-A, and VEGF-D in the aqueous humor were significantly higher in the nAMD group and PCV group than the control (nAMD vs control, p=0.004, 0.002, 0.005, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.023, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively, PCV vs control, p=0.031, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, 0.026, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively). In contrast, the levels of BDNF, HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, and IL-13 in the aqueous humor were significantly lower in the nAMD group and PCV group than control (nAMD vs control, p=<0.0001, <0.0001, 0.003, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively, PCV vs control, p=<0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, <0.0001, respectively). There were significant correlations among nAMD group, PCV group and control group in aqueous humor levels of HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-13, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, VEGF-A, VEGF-D by multivariate logistic analysis.Conclusions Various cytokines involved in inflammation and angiogenesis including HGF, IP-10, MCP-1, IL-13, IL-31, LIF, SDF1-α, VEGF-A and VEGF-D may contribute to the pathogenesis of nAMD and PCV. Measurement of IL-8 and IL-12p70 in the aqueous humor may help to differentiate nAMD and PCV.