title: Serum cytokines as biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluates the potential of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines as AMD biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 30 age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and 15 age-matched controls were examined for 16 inflammatory cytokines using multiplex ELISA. Patients were divided into three subgroups (improvement/no change/deterioration during anti-VEGF treatment) by OCT and funduscopy, and correlated to the cytokine levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17 were significantly higher in AMD patients than in controls. None of the co-variables expressed a significant effect on the tested cytokines. Only IL-1a and IL-17 showed a statistically significant difference between groups (improved, unchanged, deteriorated) as determined by one-way ANOVA. Patients with increased macular thickness during treatment showed significantly lower levels of IL-17 compared to improved cases and to unchanged cases (p = 0.004, 0.03 respectively, Dunnett's T3 post hoc multiple test). TNF-α was significantly higher in improved cases compared to deteriorated cases (p =0.03, Dunnett's T3 post hoc multiple test). IL-17 was a significant predictor for macular oedema using linear regression (β = -0.888, p <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevation of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17 in the serum of AMD patients supports the hypothesis of AMD as an inflammatory disease. Patients with high IL-17 and TNF-α serum levels were more likely to have a favourable course under VEGF therapy. These cytokines may be used as easy-to-obtain biomarkers.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany, khaledmohnassar@yahoo.com.
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Nassar
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Grisanti
authors: Elshaymaa
authors: E
authors: Elfar
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Lüke
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Lüke
authors: Swaantje
authors: S
authors: Grisanti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines