T-helper-associated cytokines expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
Immune responses play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of polypoidal choroidal vasculopath (PCV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, we determined the Th cell-associated immune responses by measuring the cytokine expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in both PCV and neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients.


METHODS
Twenty-seven nAMD patients, 33 PCV patients and a gender- and age-matched group of 18 healthy individuals were involved in this study. The Th-cell cytokine profiles including levels of interferon-gamma (INF-γ), interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-4 in cultures of PBMCs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
IFN-γ,IL-17A and IL-4 production was significantly increased after stimulation with PHA. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in PHA-stimulated cultures were higher in PCV and nAMD patients than that in healthy controls (P = 0.038,P = 0.014), while no difference was found between PCV and nAMD (all P > 0.05). No significant difference in IL-17A level in PHA-stimulated cultures was found among PCV, nAMD and control groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that circulating IFN-γ and IL-4 producing Th1 and Th2 cells may involve in the pathogenesis of PCV and nAMD. PCV may have the similar immune responses with nAMD.
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 South Xianlie Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Ying
Y
Yu
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 South Xianlie Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Xiang Rong
XR
Ren
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 South Xianlie Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Feng
F
Wen
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 South Xianlie Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China.
Hui
H
Chen
State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, 54 South Xianlie Road, Guangzhou, 510060, China. sushaobo7836@gmail.com.
Shao Bo
SB
Su
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines
Age-related macular degeneration; Cytokine; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; Polypoidal choroidal vasculopath; T-helper cell