Aqueous and serum interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) 2, IL-4, and IL-10 in patients with uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cytokine profile in aqueous humor and peripheral blood from patients with uveitis.


METHODS
Cytokines (interferon [IFN]-gamma, interleukin [IL] 2, IL-4, and IL-10) were measured in aqueous humor and peripheral blood samples from 23 patients with uveitis and 16 patients undergoing operation for uncomplicated cataracts (control group) by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Aqueous and serum samples from patients with uveitis showed higher levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 than those of controls (P<.001). Similarly, serum IL-10 levels were slightly higher in the uveitis group (P=.002). No differences were found between uveitis and control groups for aqueous and serum IL-4 or aqueous IL-10 levels. In patients with uveitis, IFN-gamma levels were significantly higher in serum than aqueous (P<.001), whereas IL-2 levels were higher in aqueous than in serum (P<.001). Serum IFN-gamma levels correlated with severe visual damage (r=0.44; P=. 03).


CONCLUSIONS
Aqueous and serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 were elevated in patients with uveitis, suggesting a predominantly type 1 response (high IFN-gamma and low IL-4 levels). Elevated serum IFN-gamma level seems to predispose the patient to more serious loss of vision. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:768-772
Lacomba
M S
MS
Department of Ophthalmology, Reina Sofia University Clinic, Cordoba, Spain. med000346@nacom.es
Martin
C M
CM
Chamond
R R
RR
Galera
J M
JM
Omar
M
M
Estevez
E C
EC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014605:Uveitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D007376:Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma