DR. THANEMOZHI SRINIVASAN

DR. ZIA PRADHAN, Dr.Harsha Rao

Abstract

Aim: To determine the soluble immune factors levels in tear fluid of eyes with exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and controls.

Methods: Tears of 24 eyes of 24 treatment-naïve XFG patients, 8 XFS eyes, and 16 controls were analysed for levels of soluble immune factors including interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) using fluorescence-based multiplex ELISA.

Results: Levels of sICAM-1 and IL-1b were significantly lower in XFS eyes compared to controls. There was no difference in IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, TNFα, MMP-9 and VEGF levels between the 3 groups.

Conclusions: XFS eyes had lower levels of sICAM-1 and IL-1b suggesting a distinct immuno-inflammatory profile in these eyes. Since this was not seen in XFG eye, this immune-inflammatory profile may confer protection against the development of glaucoma.

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