Increased vascular endothelial growth factor levels in aqueous humor and serum of patients with quiescent uveitis.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are angiogenic mediators that share a significant proinflammatory activity. Both substances have been suggested to play a key role in uveitis pathogenesis. The authors analyzed VEGF and IL-8 levels in the aqueous humor and serum of patients with different types of uveitis during a quiet phase of the disease.


METHODS
Thirteen patients with intermediate uveitis, uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, Fuchs uveitis syndrome, idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis, or Behcet disease, as well as 10 normal matched subjects, were included in the study. VEGF and IL-8 concentrations were measured in aqueous humor and serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
VEGF levels were significantly higher in both the aqueous humor and serum of patients with uveitis as compared with controls. IL-8 concentrations in aqueous humor were significantly higher in patients with uveitis with extraocular manifestations than in those with eye-limited disease.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that VEGF plays a role in uveitis pathogenesis even during inactive disease and that IL-8 levels are significantly influenced by the presence of uveitis-associated extraocular changes.
Uveitis Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Roma, Italy. marino.paroli@uniroma1.it
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Paroli
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Teodori
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D'Alessandro
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Mariani
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Iannucci
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Paroli
D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014605:Uveitis / Q000097:blood*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D016209:Interleukin-8; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A