Analysis of multiple cytokines in aqueous humor of patients with idiopathic macular hole
Abstract Background Idiopathic macular hole is a common type of ophthalmic disease, and its pathogenesis is unknown. At present, little research about the pathogenesis, especially the immune mechanism, of idiopathic macular hole has been reported. To provide scientific guidance for the treatment and prognosis of idiopathic macular holes, this study examined and analyzed multiple cytokines levels in aqueous humor from patients with idiopathic macular hole. Methods Thirty-eight subjects were divided into cataract control group (n = 17) and idiopathic macular hole group (n = 21). The levels of 48 cytokines in aqueous humor were detected by multiple magnetic beads immunization. Results There were significant differences in cytokine levels in aqueous humor from idiopathic macular holes patients compared with the cataract control group. For example, HGF (p = 0.0001), GM-CSF (p = 0.0111), and IFN-γ (p = 0.0120) were significantly up-regulated, while TNF-α (p = 0.0032), GRO-α (p < 0.0001), and MIF (p < 0.0001) were significantly down-regulated. GM-CSF showed a significant positive correlation with IL-1 (r = 0.67904, p < 0.001), IL-4 (r = 0.76017, p < 0.001), and IFN-γ (r = 0.59922, p = 0.004097). Moreover, NGF and HGF also showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.64951, p = 0.001441). Conclusion Patients with idiopathic macular hole could exhibit significant variation of the immune reaction in aqueous humor after the disease, including the recruitment of immune cells and the regulation of cytokine expression. This study also implied that it is not rigorous to use macular hole as the control in current studies on aqueous humor cytokines in ophthalmic diseases.