Alteration of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in Aqueous Humor Is Associated with Secondary Glaucoma in Fuchs Uveitis Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To analyze changes in concentrations of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, or metalloproteinases (MMP) in the aqueous humor (AH) in Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) patients with (FUSwG) or without (FUSwoG) secondary glaucoma.

Methods

AH samples were collected from 43 eyes of Caucasian subjects (FUSwoG: n = 11; FUSwG: n = 8; control eyes: n = 24). Concentrations of IL-8, MCP-1, MMP-1,-2,-3,-9, SAA, TGFß-1,-2,-3, and TNF-α were measured by multiplex bead assay analysis.

Results

Compared with the control group, levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in the AH were significantly increased in FUSwG and FUSwoG patients. In contrast to FUSwoG patients, MCP-1 and MMP-9 level were lower in FUSwG, while expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, and TGFβ-1 was increased.

Conclusion

In our experiments, glaucoma in FUS patients was associated with low levels of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in the AH, while expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, and TGFβ-1 increased. The alteration in these molecular patterns may contribute to the development of glaucoma in FUS.

Keywords:

• Aqueous humor
• Fuchs uveitis syndrome
• intraocular pressure
• multiplex bead assay analysis
• secondary glaucoma

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Author Contributions

D. Bauer, M. Kasper, and C. Heinz designed the study and wrote the manuscript. D. Bauer, M. Kasper, P. Müther, B. Kirchhof, K. Walscheid, and C. Heinz performed the experiments and analyzed the data. K. Walscheid, J. Koch, A. Heiligenhaus, and C. Heinz collected the aqueous humor and provided clinical data. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

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