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. 2016 Jun 7:16:80.
doi: 10.1186/s12886-016-0251-z.

T-helper-associated cytokines expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular degeneration

Ying Yu  1 , Xiang Rong Ren  1 , Feng Wen  1 , Hui Chen  1 , Shao Bo Su  2
Affiliations

T-helper-associated cytokines expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular degeneration

Ying Yu et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Cytokine; Peripheral blood mononuclear cell; Polypoidal choroidal vasculopath; T-helper cell.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
IFN-γ levels in the supernatants of cultured PBMCs measured by ELISA. Separated PBMCs were cultured with PHA (0.02 %) for 48 h. Data are represented as means ± SME
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
IL-4 levels in the supernatants of cultured PBMCs measured by ELISA. Separated PBMCs were cultured with PHA (0.02 %) for 48 h. Data are represented as means ± SME
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Correlation between IFN-γ and IL-4 in the supernatants of active PBMCs from PCV groups. The Spearman correlation test was used (P < 0.05 significant; r = correlation coefficient)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Correlation between IFN-γ and IL-4 in the supernatants of active PBMCs from nAMD groups. The Spearman correlation test was used (P < 0.05 significant; r = correlation coefficient)
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