Trends in operating room-based glaucoma procedures at a single eye center from 2016-2020.

AIM: To evaluate trends in glaucoma procedures at the Peking University Eye Center in 2016-2020. METHODS: A retrospective search of all glaucoma procedures performed at our institution were performed. Data were analyzed by calculating the absolute numbers and relative weightage of each procedure per year. RESULTS: The average age of glaucoma patients undergoing surgical procedures was 62.33±17.87y, and 55% were women. From 2016 to 2019, the number of surgical procedures performed in glaucoma patients showed an overall upward trend from 749 to 1460, although it decreased slightly in 2020 (n=1393), probably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of trabeculectomies did not change significantly in 2016 (n=161) to 2018 (n=164) but decreased in 2019 (n=139) to 2020 (n=121), indicating a reduction in its relative weightage among glaucoma procedures (from 21.50% to 8.69%). The number of glaucoma drainage device implantations and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries both increased (50 and 58 respectively in 2019), except in 2020. The number of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation procedures was relatively stable, increasing until 2017 (n=218) and then decreasing. Cataract surgeries with or without glaucoma procedures accounted for a large number of the total surgeries, increasing from 247 (32.97%) in 2016 to 967 (69.42%), among which cataract extraction combined with goniosynechialysis was the most frequent. CONCLUSION: The overall increase in the number of operating room-based surgical procedures is significant. Trabeculectomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures, despite the relative decline in its weightage. Other procedures, including use of glaucoma drainage devices and mini shunts and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, are gaining greater acceptance. Notably, lens-related surgery plays an important role in glaucoma management.

Decreased expression of TIPE2 in the eye under high-glucose conditions tested in vivo and in vitro.

AIMS: Inflammation is important in the development of angiogenesis diabetic retinopathy (DR). Anti-inflammation is promising strategy in early DR management. This study aimed to evaluate the level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2), a formerly anti-inflammatory factor, under high-glucose conditions. METHODS: TIPE2 was detected in the ① retina from db/db and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice; ② vitreous fluid of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and ③ mouse retinal microendothelial cells (RMEC) cultured in glucose of varying concentrations. In situ expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay. The expression of protein was analysed by Western blot or ELISA and mRNA by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: TIPE2 was down-regulated in the retina of the mice with diabetes. TIPE2 was present in the cytoplasm of RMEC and down-regulated in high-glucose conditions in line with concentration and time. The expression of TIPE2 in the vitreous fluid of patients with PDR was significantly lower than that without diabetes. Silencing TIPE2 by an siRNA resulted in increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (a vital factor in the development of DR), TNF-α and IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: TIPE2 down-expressed and exerted anti-VEGF and anti-inflammatory function in the high-glucose environment. TIPE2 was verified to be involved in the process of DR and might be a potential regulator for DR development.

Anti-inflammatory TIPE2 inhibits angiogenic VEGF in retinal pigment epithelium.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a pathological feature which commonly occurs in ocular diseases. This condition is characterised by vasculogenesis and angiogenesis underlying the neuroretina, with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid as main targets. Inflammation and immunity are crucial in the early development of CNV. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE2 or TNFAIP8L2), a recently identified gene, is a negative regulator of innate and adaptive immunity which participates in inflammatory homeostasis. We determined the expression of TIPE2 in normal and inflamed RPE cells, and evaluated the relationship of TIPE2 with factors associated with inflammation and angiogenesis. TIPE2 is present in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of human RPE cells and is down-regulated in the inflammatory state with decreased cell viability. Knock-down of TIPE2 by a specific short interfering RNA increases the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), particularly under the stimulation of lipopolysaccharide. In consideration of the vital role of VEGF in the final stage of neovascularization, the anti-inflammatory TIPE2 is also anti-angiogenic and may participate in CNV formation.