Multiplex Cytokine Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Anterior Uveitis With or Without Secondary Glaucoma

Abstract

Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis often develop chronic anterior uveitis (JIAU). JIAU patients possess a particularly high risk for developing secondary glaucoma when inflammatory inactivity has been achieved. By using multiplex bead assay analysis, we assessed levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, or metalloproteinases in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with clinically inactive JIAU with (JIAUwG) or without secondary glaucoma (JIAUwoG), or from patients with senile cataract as controls. Laser-flare photometry analysis prior to surgery showed no significant differences between JIAUwG or JIAUwoG. Compared with the control group, levels of interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, -9, serum amyloid A (SAA), transforming growth factor beta-1, -2, -3 (TGFβ-1, -2, -3), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the AH were significantly higher in patients with clinically inactive JIAUwG or JIAUwoG. Samples from JIAwoG patients displayed significantly higher levels of SAA (P < 0.0116) than JIAUwG patients. JIAUwG patients showed an increased level of TGFβ-2 in AH samples compared with JIAUwoG (P < 0.0009). These molecules may contribute to the clinical development of glaucoma in patients with JIAU.

Keywords: aqueous humor; intraocular pressure; juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated anterior uveitis; multiplex bead assay analysis; secondary glaucoma.

Figure 1

Box plots of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9, serum amyloid A (SAA), and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-2 in patients with juvenile arthritis with (JIAUwG) or without glaucoma (JIAUwoG). Specimens collected from patients with senile cataract served as control. Dots represent individual values. ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (MMP-9, SAA, TGFβ-2: P < 0.001). Comparison between two groups by t-test.

Figure 2

Box plots of interleukin-8 (IL-8), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-3, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)-1, TGFβ-3, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis with or without glaucoma. Specimens collected from patients with senile cataract served as a control. Dots represent individual values. ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (IL-8: P = 0.004, MMP-2: P < 0.001, MMP-3: P < 0.001, TGFβ-1: P = 0.003, TGFβ-3: P = 0.002, TNF-α: P = 0.005). Comparison between two groups by t-test.