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Changes in Plasma VEGF and PEDF Levels in Patients with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Michał Chrząszcz1, Weronika Pociej-Marciak1, Katarzyna Żuber-Łaskawiec1
1Clinic of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-501 Kraków, Poland.
Insights
Patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) show imbalanced levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF). Lower VEGF levels in CSC patients suggest altered vascular regulation in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) involves retinal pigment epitheliopathy and choroidal vessel hyperpermeability.
- Imbalanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) are implicated in vascular permeability disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare plasma levels of VEGF and PEDF in patients with acute CSC, chronic CSC, and healthy controls.
- To investigate the correlation between these factors and disease duration.
Main Methods:
- Plasma VEGF and PEDF levels were quantified using multiplex immunoassay and ELISA.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and assess correlations.
Main Results:
- VEGF levels were significantly lower in both acute and chronic CSC patients compared to controls.
- No significant difference in PEDF levels was observed across the groups.
- The VEGF-to-PEDF ratio was lower in CSC patients, and PEDF showed a negative correlation with disease duration in chronic CSC.
Conclusions:
- Patients with CSC exhibit an imbalance in VEGF and PEDF levels, characterized by reduced VEGF.
- This imbalance may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CSC.
- VEGF-independent arteriogenesis might be more relevant than angiogenesis in CSC vascular abnormalities.
Abstract:
Background and Objectives: Retinal pigment epitheliopathy and hyperpermeability of choroidal vessels were postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Imbalanced levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) were previously implicated in the development of chorioretinal diseases characterized by increased vascular permeability. We aimed to compare the plasma levels of proangiogenic VEGF and antiangiogenic PEDF for 26 patients with acute CSC, 26 patients with chronic CSC, and 19 controls. Materials and Methods: VEGF and PEDF levels were measured using a multiplex immunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlations with disease duration were assessed. Results: VEGF levels differed between groups (p = 0.001). They were lower in patients with acute CSC (p = 0.042) and chronic CSC (p = 0.018) than in controls. PEDF levels were similar in all groups. The VEGF-to-PEDF ratio was lower in CSC patients than in controls (p = 0.04). A negative correlation with disease duration was noted only for PEDF levels in the group with chronic CSC (rho = -0.46, p = 0.017). Discussion: Our study confirmed that patients with CSC have imbalanced levels of VEGF and PEDF. This finding may have important implications for the pathogenesis of CSC. VEGF-independent arteriogenesis rather than angiogenesis may underlie vascular abnormalities in these patients.
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