title: Serum inflammatory factors in patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate serum inflammatory factors in patients with idiopathic choroidal vascularization (CNV), including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Interleukin1-beta (IL1-β), IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, 50% hemolytic unit of complement (CH50), complement C3, complement C4 and C reactive protein (CRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  21 patients and 20 normal individuals were recruited. They received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Serous concentrations of VEGF, TNFα, IL1-β were assayed by ELISA, and the concentrations of other serum factor were assayed by immunonephelometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum VEGF level in the CNV group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p=0.025). The median level of IgE in the CNV group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p=0.006). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the levels of TNFα, IL1-β, IgG, IgA, IgM, CH50, C3, C4 or CRP between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possible roles of these factors and mechanisms of idiopathic CNV formation were analyzed. Serum VEGF and IgE levels may play an important role in the formation of idiopathic CNV.
authors.affiliation: Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Eye Center, Peking, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hong-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Dou
authors.forename: Zhizhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yu-Ling
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin-Rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ping-Ping
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D007073:Immunoglobulin E