CCL1, IL-22, and IL-36β Have Higher Expression Levels in Aqueous Humor of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients in Comparison to Cataract Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the aqueous humor cytokine expression profile in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients before and after ranibizumab treatments in comparison to cataract patients. Methods: This prospective study included 20 treatment-naïve nAMD eyes of 20 patients who received three consecutive monthly injections of ranibizumab. Aqueous humor samples were collected before the first (baseline), second (1 month later), and third (2 months later) injections. Controls were 20 age- and gender-matched cataract patients without any other ocular disease. The aqueous concentrations of 28 cytokines were measured using a multiplex bead assay. Central macular thickness (CMT) and maximum retinal thickness (MRT)-3mm were measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The greatest linear diameter (GLD) was measured by fundus fluorescein angiography (FA). Results: Nine cytokines in aqueous humor, including angiogenin, bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9), C-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1), CCL13, interleukin-8 (IL-8), fibroblast growth factor-acidic (FGF-α), IL-22, IL-36β, and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) were significantly higher in nAMD patients in comparison to cataract patients, whether before or after two consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections. Compared with the nAMD patients’ basal levels, two consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections effectively reduced the aqueous concentration of VEGF-A, improved best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as reduced the values of CMT, MRT-3mm, and GLD. Conclusions: Nine cytokines have higher expression levels in nAMD patients in comparison to cataract patients, whether before or after 2 months of ranibizumab therapy. These cytokines may have correlations with the pathogenesis of nAMD.