CYTOKINES IN LACRIMAL FLUID AND BLOOD SERUM: EARLY BIOMARKERS OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Abstract

The article presents results of multiplex cytokine assays in blood serum and lacrimal fluid at the initial and intermediate stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Some features of local and systemic disturbances in the cytokine profile were detected in these patients. It was revealed that the initial stage of AMD was associated with elevated IL-17 levels in lacrimal fluid, along with imbalance between the local increase and systemic decrease of TGF-β1 amounts. Intermediate-stage AMD was associated with increased levels of the most cytokines assayed (except of TGF-β1) in blood serum and lacrimal fluid, thus suggesting stimulation of both pro-inflammatory and angiogenic responses, like as activation of anti-inflammatory and anti-infective factors.

Keywords

• cytokines
• lacrimal fluid
• biomarkers
• macular degeneration