title: [Expression of the varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase and cytokines in patients with acute retinal necrosis syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. In this study, we investigated the activity of this virus and expressions of some cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expression of VZV thymidine kinase and some cytokines were investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 9 eyes of 8 patients with ARN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thymidine kinase expression was observed in all samples except one. Several cytokines, such as interferon (IFN) gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 were observed in the samples. Among these cytokines, a statistically significant expression of IFN gamma was observed in the samples of ARN, when compared to those of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) or other uveitis. The expression of IFN gamma also decreased during successive follow-ups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cytokines may play an important role in the immune response in ARN.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D013937:Thymidine Kinase