Elevated serum IL-23 correlates with intraocular inflammation after cataract surgery in patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Issue 8 (11th November 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Shuhong; Liu, Xialin; Luo, Lixia; Qu, Bo; Huang, Xiangkun; Xu, Li; Lin, Ying; Ye, Shaobi; Liu, Yizhi
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 94:Issue 8(2010)
• Page Start: 1078
• Page End: 1082
• Publication Date: 2009-11-11
• Subjects: IL-17 -- IL-23 -- IL-27 -- Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2009.169052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Patients with Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease are known to have severe inflammation after cataract surgery. This study was designed to investigate the role of IL-17-producing T helper (Th17) cell-related pro-inflammatory cytokines on postoperative inflammation in VKH patients. Methods: Serum from nine VKH patients and nine controls with age-related or congenital cataract was collected before and 1, 7, 30 and 90 days after surgery, and aqueous humor (AqH) at the commencement of surgery. Protein levels of IL-23, IL-27, IL-17 and IFN-γ in serum and AqH were measured by ELISA. A laser flare-cell photometer was used to quantify intraocular inflammation. Results: Serum IL-23 levels were significantly increased in VKH compared with control patients and peaked at 1 day postoperative, decreased rapidly in the first week, then attenuated gradually. In VKH patients, serum levels of IFN-γ were elevated in the first week after surgery and IL-27 was upregulated in the first month. Importantly, serum IL-23 levels were strongly correlated with aqueous flare value (r=0.689; p=0.007) and cell counts (r=0.671; p=0.01) in VKH compared with control patients. Conclusions: The data indicate that serum IL-23 levels are significantly elevated in VKH compared with control patients and are strongly associated with postoperative intraocular inflammation.