T-helper-associated cytokines expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and age-related macular degeneration

Background: Immune responses play a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of polypoidal choroidal vasculopath (PCV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, we determined the Th cell-associated immune responses by measuring the cytokine expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in both PCV and neovascular AMD (nAMD) patients.

Methods: Twenty-seven nAMD patients, 33 PCV patients and a gender- and age-matched group of 18 healthy individuals were involved in this study. The Th-cell cytokine profiles including levels of interferon-gamma (INF-γ), interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-4 in cultures of PBMCs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: IFN-γ,IL-17A and IL-4 production was significantly increased after stimulation with PHA. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in PHA-stimulated cultures were higher in PCV and nAMD patients than that in healthy controls (P = 0.038,P = 0.014), while no difference was found between PCV and nAMD (all P > 0.05). No significant difference in IL-17A level in PHA-stimulated cultures was found among PCV, nAMD and control groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that circulating IFN-γ and IL-4 producing Th1 and Th2 cells may involve in the pathogenesis of PCV and nAMD. PCV may have the similar immune responses with nAMD.