Changes in the Intraocular Cytokine Levels after Intravitreal Bevacizumab in Uveitic Macular Edema

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in intraocular cytokine after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for uveiticcystoid macular edema (CME).

Methods: The authors evaluated 9 eyes of 8 patients who underwent IVB for uveitic CME. The aqueous humorlevels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β₂were measured using suspension array technology at baseline and 1 month after IVB.

Results: The VEGF level was decreased to insignificant level (p = .008). TGF-β₂ and TNF-α levels increased significantly (p = .008 and .021, respectively). IL-6 and IL-8 showed no significant change (p = .051 and.110, respectively).

Conclusion: IVB resulted in a significant decrease of VEGF levels, which was associated with anatomical improvement of CME at 1 month. Compensatory elevations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) after selective VEGF inhibition were not observed. Marked elevation of TGF-β₂ after IVB seems to play an immunosuppressive role.

KEYWORDS::

• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-8
• Transforming growth factor -β2
• Tumor necrosis factor -α
• Uveitic macular edema
• Vascular endothelial growth factor

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.