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Is Keratoconus an Inflammatory Disease? The Implication of Inflammatory Pathways
1Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|August 14, 2020
Summary
Keratoconus may be an inflammatory disease. This study found elevated inflammatory pathways and cytokines in keratoconic corneas, suggesting immune responses play a role in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Corneal Diseases
Background:
- Keratoconus is traditionally viewed as non-inflammatory.
- Recent findings suggest increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in keratoconus patients' tears.
- Clinical observations indicate immune cell infiltration in keratoconus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inflammatory aspects of keratoconus.
- To elucidate the role of cytokines in keratoconus pathogenesis.
- To explore potential immune system involvement in keratoconus.
Main Methods:
- Protein extraction from corneal buttons (14 keratoconic, 28 non-keratoconic).
- Cytokine antibody arrays were used to scan 120 cytokines.
- Statistical analysis using Mann Whitney U test (p<0.05 significance).
Main Results:
- Activated inflammatory, wound healing, neuroprotection, and angiogenesis pathways in keratoconus.
- 23 cytokines showed significant elevation in keratoconic samples.
- 15 cytokines were exclusively expressed in keratoconus, with 8 elevated 1.7-42-fold.
Conclusions:
- This study identified elevated inflammatory pathways and immune responses in keratoconus.
- Results support the activation of inflammatory pathways in keratoconus.
- Findings suggest a potential redefinition of keratoconus as a chronic inflammatory corneal disease.
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