Features of the content of transforming growth factors – beta 1,2,3 (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3) in intraocular fluid in primary open-angle glaucoma

Abstract

Purpose. To study transforming growth factors – beta 1,2,3 (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3) in intraocular aqueous humor (AH) of patients with the advanced stage of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Material and methods. The study included an examination of 56 patients with advanced stage of POAG which comprised the main group. The diagnosis of POAG was confirmed based on ophthalmological examination. The control group consisted of 30 patients with uncomplicated cataract. TGF-β isoforms concentrations were detected by flow fluorimetry using Bio-Plex Pro™ TGF-β 3-plex Assay and double-beam laser analyzer Bio-Plex 200, Bio-Rad, USA. Three isoforms of TGF-β (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3) were simultaneously detected in AH.Results. The study revealed a significant increase of TGF-β isoforms concentrations in AH of the advanced POAG compared to AH of the group with uncomplicated cataract: TGF-β1 (3.1 times higher), TGF-β2 (1.4 times) and TGF-β3 (6.9 times). The following direct significant correlations were found: between TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 (r=0.41, p<0.03), between TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 (r=0.83, p<0.004), and between TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 (r=0.35, p<0.04).Conclusion. We determined a simultaneous increase of concentrations of the studied representatives of super-family transforming growth factors, which have an anti-inflammatory activity, potential to stimulate proliferation, cellular growth, synthesis of proteins of extracellular matrix, etc. These results prove their importance in the POAG pathogenesis.

Keywords

• primary open-angle glaucoma
• pathogenesis
• transforming growth factors
• intraocular aqueous humor (ah)