Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026
07:11
Assessing Early Stage Open-Angle Glaucoma in Patients by Isolated-Check Visual Evoked Potential
Published on: May 25, 2020
6.8K
T-Lymphocyte Subset Distribution and Activity in Patients With Glaucoma
Xiangjun Yang1, Qun Zeng1, Emre Göktas1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, United States.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|March 2, 2019
Summary
Glaucoma patients show decreased regulatory T cells (Tregs) and increased T-cell activation, suggesting an immune imbalance contributing to neurodegeneration. This T-cell shift may indicate autoimmune susceptibility in glaucoma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Systemic immune responses are implicated in glaucoma neurodegeneration.
- T-cell mediated immunity is a key component of the systemic immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the T-cell mediated component of systemic immunity in glaucoma patients.
- To analyze T-lymphocyte subsets and their function in glaucoma.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 32 glaucoma patients and 21 controls were analyzed.
- T-cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17, Tregs) were quantified using flow cytometry.
- T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion were measured after in vitro stimulation.
Main Results:
- Glaucoma patients showed a trend toward decreased regulatory T cells (Tregs) (CD4+/CD8+CD25+/FoxP3+).
- CD4+ T cells from glaucoma patients exhibited increased proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion.
- No significant differences were found in Th1, Th2, or Th17 subset frequencies.
Conclusions:
- Glaucoma involves an activated immune response potentially lacking sufficient immune suppression.
- Shifted T-cell homeostasis may contribute to glaucoma neurodegeneration.
- T-cell subset imbalance could serve as a biomarker for autoimmune susceptibility in glaucoma.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
285
Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
285
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
250
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
250
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
266
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
266
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.4K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.4K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
990
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
990
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.2K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.2K