Inflammatory cytokines in highly myopic eyes

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 5;9(1):3517. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39652-x.

Abstract

Currently, myopic retinopathy is the most common irreversible blinding disease but its pathophysiology is not completely clear. A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a single center to analyze aqueous samples from highly myopic eyes (axial length >25 mm, n = 92) and ametropic or mild myopic eyes (n = 88) for inflammatory cytokines. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-6 and MMP-2 were significantly higher in the highly myopic eyes than in the non-high myopic eyes (IL-6: 11.90 vs. 4.38 pg/mL, p < 0.0001; MMP-2: 13.10 vs. 8.82 ng/mL, p = 0.0003) while adjusting for age, gender, and intraocular pressure. There was a significant positive association between levels of IL-6 and MMP-2 in aqueous humor and the axial lengths of the eye globes (IL-6, β = 0.065, p < 0.0001, n = 134; MMP-2, β = 0.097, p < 0.0001, n = 131). Conversely, VEGF in aqueous humor was significantly lower in the highly myopic eyes than in the non-high myopic eyes (45.56 vs. 96.90 pg/mL, p < 0.0001, n = 153) while age, gender, and intraocular pressure were adjusted. The results suggest that low-grade intraocular inflammation may play an important role in the development and progression of high myopia and myopic retinopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anterior Chamber / physiology
  • Aqueous Humor / metabolism
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Eye / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / analysis
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia / metabolism
  • Myopia / pathology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-6
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2