Cytokine status and significant increase of IL-6 and sIL-6R in the aqueous humor of diabetic cataract patients revealed by quantitative multiplexed assays

Journal of International Medical Research, 2023 · DOI: 10.1177/03000605231175765 · Published: September 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the levels of inflammatory substances called cytokines in the fluid inside the eye (aqueous humor) of people with diabetic cataracts. The study found that certain cytokines, like IL-6 and sIL-6R, were significantly higher in diabetic cataract patients compared to those with age-related cataracts. These increased cytokines may play a crucial role in how diabetic cataracts develop and progress, suggesting they could be targets for future treatments.

Study Duration

January and February 2021

Participants

29 ARC patients and 29 DC patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Expression levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-17A, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-b, RANTES, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were significantly higher in DC patients compared with ARC patients.
2
The expression levels of IL-1ra and IL-1a were significantly lower in DC patients compared to ARC patients.
3
ELISA and western blot results confirmed that IL-6R and IL-6 expression levels were significantly higher in DC patients compared with ARC patients.

Research Summary

This study aimed to investigate inflammatory cytokine expression profiles in the aqueous humor (AH) of diabetic cataract (DC) patients. The multiplexed antibody assay revealed that the expression levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-17A, IL-8, MCP-1, TNF-b, RANTES, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were higher in the AH of DC patients compared with ARC patients. Our results revealed the status of 40 inflammatory cytokines in the AH by quantitative multiplexed assays. Additionally, IL-6 and sIL-6R were expressed markedly higher in DC compared with ARC, which may play critical roles in DC pathophysiology.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

IL-6 and sIL-6R may represent potential therapeutic targets for non-surgical treatment of diabetic cataracts.

Understanding Pathophysiology

The study provides insights into the inflammatory cytokine profiles in the aqueous humor of diabetic cataract patients, contributing to a better understanding of the disease's pathophysiology.

Diagnostic Potential

The identified cytokine signatures could potentially be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis or monitoring of diabetic cataracts.

Study Limitations

1
The study included patients with a diabetic history of at least 10 years, which might limit the generalizability of the findings to patients with shorter diabetes duration.
2
Quantitative inflammatory multiplexed antibody arrays have some limitations because their design does not avoid potential non-specific reactions between different antibodies and cytokines.
3
Relatively small sample size in cytokine antibody array (n=4 for each group).

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