title: Aqueous humor and serum concentrations of soluble MICA and MICB in glaucoma patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immune reactions have been reported to be involved in the destruction of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in glaucoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A and B (MICA and MICB) molecules in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous humor and serum samples from 15 glaucoma patients and 45 patients with cataract, undergoing ocular surgery, were obtained. The concentrations of MICA and MICB molecules in all samples were measured using ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both MICA and MICB concentrations were higher in the aqueous humor of patients with glaucoma compared to those with cataract (p=0.013 and p=0.004, respectively); however, in the serum samples, no significant differences were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased intraocular pressure may be associated with increased expression of the MICA and MICB molecules, which could initiate the destruction of RGCs and consequent development of glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Bou Ali Sina Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran, e-mail:kiumars39@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kiomars
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nowroozpoor-Dailami
authors.forename: Araz-Mohammad
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mirabi
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tehrani
authors.forename: Abolghasem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ajami
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000276:immunology*; D002386:Cataract / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D044967:Serum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A; C098080:MICB antigen