Distinct cytokine and chemokine profiles in the aqueous of patients with uveitis and cystoid macular edema.

Abstract

To investigate the global cytokine and chemokine expression pattern in the aqueous humor of uveitis patients and relate them to clinical features. Cross-sectional study. In 31 aqueous humor samples from uveitis patients, the concentration of mediators was measured by a multiplex immunoassay. Eleven control samples were included. Uveitis samples had higher levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM), and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) than nonuveitis controls. Active uveitis samples had higher levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, interferon-gamma, sVCAM, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and IP-10 than quiescent uveitis samples. Infectious uveitis was associated with higher levels of interleukin-10 than noninfectious uveitis (P < .03 for all subgroups). No significant differences were found between cystoid macular edema (CME) and non-CME samples. Elevated levels of specific mediators were found in active and in infectious uveitis, but not in CME. Mediator profiles might lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of uveitis.