Juan Zhang1,2, Chen Jiang1,2, Lu Ruan1, Xin Huang1,2. 1. Department of Ophthalmology at Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. 2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the associations of cytokine concentrations in aqueous humour with the severity of retinal vascular abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis in patients with Coats' disease. METHODS: Aqueous humour samples were collected in 23 paediatric patients (23 eyes) with Coats' disease and six age-matched control patients (six eyes) with congenital cataract in this cross-sectional, case-control study. Through Cytometric Bead Array technology, six angiogenic, inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines were measured for their concentrations in aqueous humour. Ophthalmologic characteristics including retinal vessel abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis of Coats' disease were also clinically evaluated for analysis. RESULTS: The aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.006) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the Coats' disease group than in the control group. The concentrations of angiogenin were peaked in eyes with first-grade vessels tortuosity (p < 0.001), and also positively correlated with the severity of retinal capillary abnormalities (r = 0.910, p < 0.001). The concentrations of MCP-1 (r = 0.966, p < 0.001) and VEGF (r = 0. 765, p = 0.002) were significantly correlated with the extent of retinal exudation. The aqueous humour transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) concentrations were higher in eyes with retinal fibrosis than in non-fibrotic eyes with Coats' disease (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In Coats' disease, angiogenin may act as a potential biomarker for retinal vascular abnormalities. The concentrations of VEGF and MCP-1 may positively correlate with the severity of retinal exudation.
PURPOSE: To investigate the associations of cytokine concentrations in aqueous humour with the severity of retinal vascular abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis in patients with Coats' disease. METHODS: Aqueous humour samples were collected in 23 paediatric patients (23 eyes) with Coats' disease and six age-matched control patients (six eyes) with congenital cataract in this cross-sectional, case-control study. Through Cytometric Bead Array technology, six angiogenic, inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines were measured for their concentrations in aqueous humour. Ophthalmologic characteristics including retinal vessel abnormalities, exudation and fibrosis of Coats' disease were also clinically evaluated for analysis. RESULTS: The aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.006) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the Coats' disease group than in the control group. The concentrations of angiogenin were peaked in eyes with first-grade vessels tortuosity (p < 0.001), and also positively correlated with the severity of retinal capillary abnormalities (r = 0.910, p < 0.001). The concentrations of MCP-1 (r = 0.966, p < 0.001) and VEGF (r = 0. 765, p = 0.002) were significantly correlated with the extent of retinal exudation. The aqueous humour transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) concentrations were higher in eyes with retinal fibrosis than in non-fibrotic eyes with Coats' disease (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: In Coats' disease, angiogenin may act as a potential biomarker for retinal vascular abnormalities. The concentrations of VEGF and MCP-1 may positively correlate with the severity of retinal exudation.