Increased intravitreal angiopoietin-2 levels associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
OBJECTIVE
To explore factors related to pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), vitreous levels of angiopoietin-1 and -2 (Ang-1 and -2), previously undefined in RRD, transforming growth factor-(TGF) β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO) and proteolytic mediators of extracellular matrix remodelling (MMP-2 and -9) were compared in eyes with RRD and eyes with idiopathic macular hole or pucker.


METHODS
Vitreous samples were collected from 117 eyes with RRD (study group) and 40 eyes with macular hole or pucker (control group). Growth factors were measured by ELISA and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by gelatin zymography.


RESULTS
The mean vitreous concentrations of Ang-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were higher (all p < 0.01), whereas concentration of VEGF was lower (p = 0.01) in eyes with RRD relative to controls. Logistic regression analysis identified Ang-2 concentration as a novel marker of RRD (p = 0.0001, OR 48.7). Ang-1, EPO, and total TGF-β1 levels were not significantly different between the groups. However, TGF-β1 and MMP-2 were increased in eyes with total RRD compared to those with local RRD (p ≤ 0.05). In eyes with PVR, no differences were observed in any studied marker as compared with non-PVR eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Current results reveal Ang-2 as a key factor upregulated in RRD. It may co-operate with fibrosis-associated factors and contribute to vascular complications such as breakdown of blood-eye barrier and PVR development.
Unit of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4 C, 00290, Helsinki, Finland, sirpa.loukovaara@hus.fi.
Sirpa
S
Loukovaara
Kaisa
K
Lehti
Alexandra
A
Robciuc
Timo
T
Pessi
Juha M
JM
Holopainen
Katri
K
Koli
Ilkka
I
Immonen
Jorma
J
Keski-Oja
D000368:Aged; D042683:Angiopoietin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*
C467630:ANGPT1 protein, human; C586513:ANGPT2 protein, human; D042683:Angiopoietin-1; D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015415:Biomarkers; C554270:EPO protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D004921:Erythropoietin; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases