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Published on: January 25, 2019
Soluble TNF receptors in vitreoretinal proliferative disease
G A Limb1, R D Hollifield, L Webster
1Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. g.limb@ucl.ac.uk
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|May 31, 2001
Summary
Vitreous levels of soluble TNF-receptors (sTNF-Rs) are elevated in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), retinal detachment (RRD), and diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Higher sTNF-Rs in PVR correlate with disease severity, suggesting a role in retinal inflammation and angiogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) and its soluble receptors (sTNF-Rs) in ocular inflammatory and proliferative diseases is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding the specific levels and correlations of sTNF-Rs in various retinal conditions is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify vitreous levels of sTNF-Rs types I and II in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
- To investigate the relationship between vitreous sTNF-Rs and clinical features, as well as vitreous TNFalpha and serum sTNF-Rs levels.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure vitreous levels of sTNF-Rs I, sTNF-Rs II, and TNFalpha in patients with PVR, RRD, and PDR.
- Control vitreous samples were obtained from donor eyes and eyes with macular holes.
- Serum sTNF-Rs levels were also measured in patients with PDR and PVR.
Main Results:
- Vitreous sTNF-Rs I and II levels were significantly elevated in eyes with PVR, RRD, and PDR compared to controls.
- Eyes with PVR exhibited higher vitreous sTNF-Rs I and II levels than those with RRD or PDR.
- Vitreous TNFalpha levels were higher in PDR than PVR, while serum sTNF-Rs were higher in PDR than PVR.
Conclusions:
- Elevated vitreous sTNF-Rs in PVR, RRD, and PDR suggest their involvement in intraocular inflammation and angiogenesis.
- The correlation of vitreous sTNF-Rs with PVR severity indicates they may be reactive products of inflammation.
- sTNF-Rs likely play a role in controlling TNFalpha activity within the retinal microenvironment, influencing the severity of proliferative retinopathies.
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