Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related serum markers ET-1, IL-8 and TGF-β2 are elevated in a Finnish wet age-related macular degeneration cohort

Non-Coding RNAs Regulating Mitochondrial Functions and the Oxidative Stress Response as Putative Targets against Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an ever-increasing, insidious disease which reduces the quality of life of millions of elderly people around the world. AMD is characterised by damage to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the macula region of the retina. The origins of this multi-factorial disease are complex and still not fully understood. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial imbalance in the RPE are believed to be important factors in the development of AMD. In this review, the regulation of the mitochondrial function and antioxidant stress response by non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), newly emerged epigenetic factors, is discussed. These molecules include microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular non-coding RNAs. They act mainly as mRNA suppressors, controllers of other ncRNAs, or by interacting with proteins. We include here examples of these RNA molecules which affect various mitochondrial processes and antioxidant signaling of the cell. As a future prospect, the possibility to manipulate these ncRNAs to strengthen mitochondrial and antioxidant response functions is discussed. Non-coding RNAs could be used as potential diagnostic markers for AMD, and in the future, also as therapeutic targets, either by suppressing or increasing their expression. In addition to AMD, it is possible that non-coding RNAs could be regulators in other oxidative stress-related degenerative diseases.

[Pathogenetic role of multifunctional protein alpha-2-macroglobulin and its activity in tears and serum in age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy]

Alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2-MG) is a multifunctional protein involved in neurodegeneration, inflammation and neovascularization, which are key processes in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). AMD and PDR are two of the main causes of vision loss and blindness, are difficult to treat, and are generally diagnosed at the stage of irreversible changes.

PURPOSE

This study estimates the activity of α2-MG in the blood serum and tears of patients with AMD and PDR in order to reveal the relation of its levels with the intensity of the pathological process in the retina.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 17 patients (34 eyes) with AMD, 15 patients (30 eyes) with PDR, and 15 healthy adults (30 eyes) of the similar age. The activity of α2-MG in serum and tears was measured enzymatically using the specific substrate N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA).

RESULTS

The activity of α2-MG in tears of patients with AMD was on the average 3.5 times higher than in healthy controls, and in patients with PDR - 1.5 times higher. Patients with AMD at the submacular fibrosis stage showed decreased α2-MG activity in tears. The activity of α2-MG in serum of patients with AMD and PDR was on the average 25% higher than in healthy persons. No correlation was revealed between serum and tear levels of α2-MG activity.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed for the first time that in AMD and PDR the activity of α2-MG in tears is increased, and that in AMD the increase is higher than in PDR. An increase of α2-MG activity in serum confirms the presence of systemic inflammation. Absence of correlation between the serum and tear activity of α2-MG confirms its local origin. The high level of α2-MG activity in tears reflects the presence of an active destructive process in the retina, justifying its further investigation as a predictor of AMD and PDR course, as well as an indicator of therapy effectiveness.

VEGFA Haplotype and VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 Protein Associations with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Our study aimed to reveal the associations between VEGFA SNPs (rs1570360, rs699947, rs3025033, and rs2146323), their haplotypes, VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 serum concentrations, and early and exudative AMD. A total of 339 subjects with early AMD and 419 with exudative AMD groups, and 374 healthy subjects, were genotyped for four VEGFA SNPs (rs1570360, rs699947, rs3025033, and rs2146323). VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 serum concentrations were measured in exudative AMD and controls. The results revealed that rs3025033 G allele was significantly associated with lower odds of exudative AMD under the dominant model (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.49–0.80; p = 0.0088) and additive (OR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.54–0.90; p = 0.0058) models after Bonferroni correction. In the female group, rs3025033 AG genotype was associated with exudative AMD under the codominant model (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.37–0.87; p = 0.009) and G allele under the dominant (OR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.37–0.82; p = 0.0032) and additive models (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.42–0.84; p = 0.0028). Haplotype analysis revealed that individuals carrying rs1570360, rs699947, rs3025033, and rs2146323 haplotype A-A-G-A had decreased risk of exudative AMD (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.23–0.90; p = 0.023). The VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 serum concentrations did not differ between study groups; we found that patients with exudative AMD carrying at least one C allele at rs699947 have statistically significantly higher VEGF-A serum concentrations compared to AA genotype carriers (485.95 (945.93) vs. 194.97 (-), respectively, p = 0.046). In conclusion, we found that VEGFA rs3025033 and haplotype rs1570360A-rs699947A-rs3025033G- rs2146323A play a protective role for exudative AMD in the Caucasian population. Furthermore, rs699947 is associated with elevated VEGF-A serum concentrations in exudative AMD.

The Changes of Irisin and Inflammatory Cytokines in the Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) are irreversible chorioretinal diseases, which might induce severe damage in visual function. The metabolic factor and inflammatory factors might play important roles in the pathogenesis of AMD and RVO. The levels of irisin and 14 cytokines were analyzed in aqueous humor of AMD and RVO eyes to evaluate the roles of irisin and inflammatory factors.

METHODS

We collected aqueous humor samples from patients with AMD (n = 27), RVO (n = 30), and cataract (as control, n = 23) eyes. Samples were assayed using ELISA kit for irisin and a multiplex immunoassay kit for 14 cytokines. The macular thickness (MT) was measured with OCT in all included eyes.

RESULTS

MT in the RVO group is significantly higher than that in the AMD or control group. Irisin levels in the aqueous samples of AMD and RVO eyes were both significantly lower than that in the control. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between irisin and MT in the RVO. Compared with the controls, AMD eyes had significantly higher levels of BDNF, VEGF-A, VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, IL-10, TNF-α, VCAM-1, IP-10, and MCP-1. Similarly, RVO eyes had significantly higher levels of BDNF, VEGF-A, VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IP-10, and MCP-1. However, there was no significant difference between the levels of PDGF-BB or TNF-β in these three groups. A negative correlation was found between VEGF-A and MT in AMD, as well as in control. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between IL-6 and MT in the 80 included eyes, as well as in RVO. A positive correlation was found between ICAM-1 and MT in the 80 included eyes, as well as in RVO.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic factor, irisin levels in the aqueous humor are decreased in AMD and RVO eyes and show a positive correlation between irisin and MT in RVO eyes, prompting researchers to explore the relationship between irisin and macular edema. We also identified the higher expression of vascular growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-R1, and PDGF-BB), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α), and chemokines (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, IP-10, and MCP-1) in AMD and RVO eyes.