The Function of Cytokines in Several Vitre oretinal Diseases

ABSTRACT

Many cytokines are known as inducing or aggravating factors in several vitreoretinal diseases. Especially transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-beta), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)are implicated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR), proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)and many other vitreoretinal diseases . The aim of this study is to analyze the an aggravating roles of cytokines in the pathogenesis of vitreoretinal disease. We analyzed levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta 2, bFGF and VEGF in vitreous of 82 patients with several vitreoretinal diseases. Vitreous samples were obtained using vitrector as dry vitrectomy and levels of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, bFGF and VEGF were determined by ELISA. The level of VEGF was higher only in PDR group. But in the rest of conditions, no changes in any cytokine level was detected. On clinical situation, the higher level of VEGF was found in group with vitreous hemorrhage, retinal neovascularization and vitreoretinal fibrosis. The level of VEGF was lower in the eyes with preoperative panretinal photocoagulation . In the eyes with vitreoretinal fibrosis, the level of TGF-beta2 is lower, whereas the level of VEGF is higher. These results supports that VEGF is one of the important angiogenic and proliferative factors and when increased, induce vitreous hemorrhage. Our study also suggests the possibility that increased TGF-beta2 may play a role in the regression of proliferation.