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Serum cytokines as biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration

  • Retinal Disorders
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Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluates the potential of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines as AMD biomarkers.

Methods

Serum samples from 30 age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients and 15 age-matched controls were examined for 16 inflammatory cytokines using multiplex ELISA. Patients were divided into three subgroups (improvement/no change/deterioration during anti-VEGF treatment) by OCT and funduscopy, and correlated to the cytokine levels.

Results

Serum concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17 were significantly higher in AMD patients than in controls. None of the co-variables expressed a significant effect on the tested cytokines. Only IL-1a and IL-17 showed a statistically significant difference between groups (improved, unchanged, deteriorated) as determined by one-way ANOVA. Patients with increased macular thickness during treatment showed significantly lower levels of IL-17 compared to improved cases and to unchanged cases (p = 0.004, 0.03 respectively, Dunnett’s T3 post hoc multiple test). TNF-α was significantly higher in improved cases compared to deteriorated cases (p =0.03, Dunnett’s T3 post hoc multiple test). IL-17 was a significant predictor for macular oedema using linear regression (β = −0.888, p <0.05).

Conclusion

Elevation of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17 in the serum of AMD patients supports the hypothesis of AMD as an inflammatory disease. Patients with high IL-17 and TNF-α serum levels were more likely to have a favourable course under VEGF therapy. These cytokines may be used as easy-to-obtain biomarkers.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Mrs. Christine Oeruen for her technical assistance. We thank Dr. Reinhard Vonthein, Luebeck University, Institute for Medical Biometry and Statistics (IMBS), Centre for Clinical Trials for his valuable advice during statistical evaluation. The work was supported by Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nürnberg, Germany.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Khaled Nassar, Salvatore Grisanti, Elshaymaa Elfar, Julia Lüke, Matthias Lüke & Swaantje Grisanti

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Fayoum University, EG-63514, Fayoum, Egypt

    Khaled Nassar

  3. Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Cairo University, EG-11956, Cairo, Egypt

    Elshaymaa Elfar

Authors
  1. Khaled Nassar
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  2. Salvatore Grisanti
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  3. Elshaymaa Elfar
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  4. Julia Lüke
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  5. Matthias Lüke
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  6. Swaantje Grisanti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Khaled Nassar.

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Khaled Nassar and Salvatore Grisanti should be considered as equivalent first authors

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Nassar, K., Grisanti, S., Elfar, E. et al. Serum cytokines as biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 253, 699–704 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2738-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2738-8

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