[The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of cytokines and advanced glycation end products(AGEs) in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, we measured vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta 1), and pentosidine(an AGE) levels in aqueous, vitreous, and paired plasma obtained from diabetic patients.


RESULTS
The aqueous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were positively correlated with the grade of clinical severity of diabetic retinopathy (both VEGF and IL-6, p < 0.001). Other cytokines and pentosidine levels were not significantly associated. The aqueous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were higher than the plasma levels(VEGF p = 0.02, IL-6 p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Within the intraocular area VEGF and IL-6 are produced and participate in the pathogenesis of hyperpermeability of retinal vessels in preproliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Ohara
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan.
Funatsu
H
H
Kitano
S
S
Hori
S
S
Yamashita
H
H
D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016207:Cytokines; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors