Discrepant expression of cytokines in inflammation- and age-related cataract patients

Vision Problems As a Contributor to Lower Engagement in Care Among Aging Men Living with HIV

PURPOSE

To investigate vision impairment as a barrier to engagement in medical care among aging persons living with HIV (PLWH) who experience multimorbidity and complex care needs.

SETTING

Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), a prospective observational cohort of aging PLWH men.

METHODS

We examined relationships of self-reported vision difficulty with indicators of care engagement: 1) adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART; defined as taking ≥95% of medications); 2) self-reported avoidance of medical care; 3) self-reported tendency to ask a doctor questions about care (>2 questions at a medical visit), as well as with quality of life. A modified version of the National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionnaire was administered at three semi-annual visits (from October 2017 to March 2019) to assess difficulty performing vision-dependent tasks.

RESULTS

We included 1063 PLWH (median age 57 years, 31% Black). Data on care engagement outcomes were analyzed using repeated measures logistic regression with generalized estimating equations adjusted for race, and at visit values for age, education level, depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and smoking status. Compared to no vision difficulty, those reporting moderate to extreme vision difficulty on at least one task had 2.2 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.4, 3.4) of having less than optimal ART adherence, 1.9 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.1, 3.4) of avoiding necessary medical care and median quality of life scores 8 points lower.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest vision impairment decreases medical care engagement including HIV care and quality of life among aging PLWH.

Causal associations between circulating inflammatory cytokines and blinding eye diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis

Background

Previous studies have explored the associations between circulating inflammatory cytokines and blinding eye diseases, including glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. However, the causality of these associations remains controversial. This study employs a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal relationships between 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines and these blinding eye diseases.

Methods

Summary data for glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration and 41 circulating inflammatory cytokines were publicly available. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was employed as the main analysis method. Additionally, various sensitivity tests, including MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weight mode, Cochran's Q test, MR pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier test, and leave-one-out test, were conducted to evaluate sensitivity and stability of results.

Results

The IVW analysis identified six circulating inflammatory cytokines causally associated with the risk of blinding eye diseases: Monokine induced by interferon-gamma (MIG) for glaucoma, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, IL-10, and platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGFbb) for cataract, and MIG and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for macular degeneration. However, it is noteworthy that none of these associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.0004). Reverse MR analyses indicated that cataract may lead to a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels (OR: 3.326 × 10-04, 95% CI: 5.198 × 10-07 - 2.129 × 10-01, p = 0.0151).

Conclusion

This study highlights the potential roles of specific inflammatory cytokines in the development of glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. Moreover, it suggests that VEGF is likely to be involved in cataract development downstream. These findings offer insights for early prevention and novel therapeutic strategies for these blinding eye diseases.

Inflammation-Involved Proteins in Blood Serum of Cataract Patients-A Preliminary Study

Approximately 50% of all global blindness is caused by cataract in adults aged ≥50 years. The mechanisms of the disease are most arguably related to a redox imbalance and inflammation; therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the processes associated with inflammation in cataract patients. Twenty-four patients aged 22-60 years (62.5% females) participated in the study, with 33 controls aged 28-60 years (66.7% females). Venous blood serum of the subjects was examined for alpha 1-antitrypsin, as well as selected lysosomal enzymes and adipokines. The activities of lysosomal enzymes, as well as the activity of alpha 1-antitrypsin and the concentrations of c-reactive protein and leptin, were similar in the patients versus the controls. The concentrations of interleukin 6 and resistin were lower, in turn, whereas omentin-1 and adiponectin were higher. Moreover, the study revealed the existence of many linear relationships between the parameters, including multiple linear regression, especially gender-wise. No systemic inflammation was probably noted in the cataract patients tested; nevertheless, the deregulation of adiponectin, omentin-1 and resistin secretion was observed.

Hydroxychloroquine is neutral on incidental cataracts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

To study whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy increases the risks of cataracts in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this retrospective cohort study, 2821 treatment-naive RA patients, collected from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, were enrolled from 2000 to 2012 and followed up monthly until secondary cataracts were detected but no later than Dec 31, 2013. All participants were split into two groups according to the usage of HCQ in one year: the HCQ group (465 patients), with a usage duration higher than 90 days, and the non-HCQ group (465 patients), with a usage duration less than 30 days. The HCQ and non-HCQ groups were age-, sex-, complication- and drug combination-matched. There was no significant difference in survival rate between the two groups (p > 0.05). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied. Of all participants, 173 were diagnosed with secondary cataracts in both the HCQ and non-HCQ groups, with 28.8/1000 and 36.5/1000 person-years, respectively. After adjustments for other predictors, patients in the HCQ group had no increased (or decreased/equal) hazard of secondary cataract (hazard ratio (HR): 1.17; confidence interval (CI): 0.86-1.59; p > 0.05). HR analysis of HCQ usage duration, age, sex and corticosteroids showed that the CI of the adjusted HR was not statistically significant. This study showed that HCQ usage was not associated with the risk of cataracts in RA patients.

UVR-B-induced NKR-1 Expression in Ocular Tissues is blocked by Substance P Receptor Antagonist Fosaprepitant in the Exposed as well as Unexposed Partner Eye

Purpose: To investigate the effect of NKR-1 antagonists in an established UVR-B-induced cataract mouse model. Furthermore, to examine the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in mouse eyes following unilateral UVR-B exposure.Methods: Mice received intraperitoneally injections of Fosaprepitant and Spantide I, before and after unilateral exposure to UVR-B. After day 3 and 7 post-exposure, ocular tissues were extracted for the detection of NKR-1 protein level by ELISA.Results: Pretreatment with Fosaprepitant decreases NKR-1 expression in exposed ocular tissues as well as in the unexposed lens epithelium compared to the saline group. Spantide I treatment showed a tendency of NKR-1 overexpression in ocular tissues.Conclusion: The clinically approved NKR-1 receptor antagonist Fosaprepitant decreases NKR-1 protein expression effectively not only in the exposed but also in the unexposed partner eye in a UVR-B irradiation mouse model. No effect was seen on the protein concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in either eye.

Abnormal N-Glycosylation of Human Lens Epithelial Cells in Type-2 Diabetes May Contribute to Cataract Progression

Purpose

In order to better understand cataract development, we analyzed the glycosylation profile of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) from anterior lens capsules of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic (ND) patients undergoing routine cataract surgery.

Setting

Research Department of the Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera, Hospital "Dr. Luis Sánchez Bulnes", Mexico.

Design

Experimental study.

Methods

Evaluation of anterior lens capsules from T2DM and ND patients undergoing phacoemulsification and free from other ocular diseases.

Results

Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed HLECs alterations in T2DM samples. From lectins with different sugar specificities used, concanavalin A showed significant differences, labeling homogeneously both in the cytoplasm and in cell membranes in ND capsules, while in T2DM capsules, in addition to membrane and cytoplasm labeling, there were perinuclear vesicles with high concanavalin A labeling. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that T2DM patients have a ~65-kDa spot with an isoelectric point of 5.5 with a higher density compared to ND capsules, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis showed 62% homology with type-1 cytokeratin. Immunohistochemistry using anti-pan cytokeratin antibody revealed co-localization with concanavalin A, and a lectin blot revealed with concanavalin A showed a band of ~65 kDa, a molecular weight that corresponds to human type 1 cytokeratin.

Conclusion

These results suggest that over-expression of N-glycosidically linked human type 1 cytokeratin may induce capsule disruption and affect selective permeability, allowing the entry of different molecules to the lens that facilitate cataract progression.

Serum Aβ Levels are Associated with Age-related Cataract

To investigate the levels and clinical relevance of serum β-amyloid (Aβ) in age-related cataract (ARC) patients. In the present study, an overall of 402 ARC patients and 450 normal controls were recruited between June 2018 and December 2019. Serum Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 concentrations were assessed by Elisa. The ARC patients were further grouped into several subgroups according to gender, age, types of ARC, and degree of lens opacity. The association of Aβ levels with ARC was determined using logistic regression models. ARC patients had significantly higher serum Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels than normal control. A similar finding was observed in subjects aged over 60 years. Serum Aβ concentrations were significant correlated with the degrees of lens opacity in C-ARC and N-ARC subjects. Logistic regression analyses revealed that serum Aβ1-40 (ORs = 1.202, 95% CI 1.077 to 1.341) and Aβ1-42 (ORs = 1.686, 95% CI 1.351 to 2.103) levels were potential risk factors for ARC. ARC patients have higher serum Aβ1-40, as well as Aβ1-42 levels, which may reflect an association between Aβ and ARC pathogenesis. Serum Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 levels are potential risk factors for ARC.

Integrated Analysis of Key Pathways and Drug Targets Associated With Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

Background

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a complex disease associated with multiple molecular immunological mechanisms. As the underlying mechanism for VKH disease is unclear, we hope to utilize an integrated analysis of key pathways and drug targets to develop novel therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Candidate genes and proteins involved in VKH disease were identified through text-mining in the PubMed database. The GO and KEGG pathway analyses were used to examine the biological functions of the involved pathways associated with this disease. Molecule-related drugs were predicted through Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb) analysis.

Results

A total of 48 genes and 54 proteins were associated with VKH disease. Forty-two significantly altered pathways were identified through pathway analysis and were mainly related to immune and inflammatory responses. The top five of significantly altered pathways were termed as “inflammatory bowel disease,” “cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,” “allograft rejection,” “antigen processing,” and “presentation and Herpes simplex infection” in the KEGG database. IFN-γ and IL-6 were identified as the key genes through network analysis. The DGIdb analysis predicted 48 medicines as possible drugs for VKH disease, among which Interferon Alfa-2B was co-associated both with IFN-γ and IL-6.

Conclusions

In this study, systematic analyses were utilized to detect key pathways and drug targets in VKH disease via bioinformatics analysis. IFN-γ and IL-6 were identified as the key mediators and possible drug targets in VKH disease. Interferon Alfa-2B was predicted to be a potentially effective drug for VKH disease treatment by targeting IFN-γ and IL-6, which warrants further experimental and clinical investigations.

A Review of Complicated Cataract in Retinitis Pigmentosa: Pathogenesis and Cataract Surgery

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a set of inherited retinal degenerative diseases that affect photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs), possibly associated with some ocular complications, including cataract. The complicated cataract formation is most likely the result of RP-related inflammation response, and the most common morphology category is posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Despite the absence of curative pharmacologic treatment, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation to deal with opacification in the lens is preferred due to the considerable visual outcomes. However, the incidence of intraocular and postoperative complications is higher in RP patients than those without, including intraoperative phototoxic retinal damage, posterior capsular opacification (PCO), capsular contraction syndrome (CCS), pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME), increased postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), and intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation. Hence, it needs much attention to surgery progress and close follow-up. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of RP patients with complicated cataracts from morphology to potential pathogenesis to cataract surgical procedure and provide a concise description and the recommended management of related surgery complications to broaden the knowledge and lower the latent risks to yield better clinical outcomes.

Developmental characteristics of the cytokine profile in aqueous humor and its relationship with the inflammatory response in children

Background

Although influencing the severity of postoperative intraocular inflammation of congenital cataract, the developmental characteristics of cytokine profile in the aqueous humor during childhood had not been described. And its relationship with the inflammatory response after intraocular surgery remained unsolved.

Methods

Preoperative aqueous humor samples were collected from 65 eyes of congenital cataract patients (CC group) and 13 eyes of age-related cataract patients (ARC group) from January 2015 to May 2017. The concentrations of 22 cytokines were measured. Differences in concentrations between the CC and ARC groups were described. Correlation analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate linear regression were then used to investigate the dynamic changes in the cytokine profile with age and their relationships with the postoperative inflammatory response.

Results

The concentrations of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon (IFN)-α2, interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-7 were higher in the CC group than in the ARC group, while the concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were more abundant in the ARC group (P<0.05). Within the CC group, the concentrations of EGF and IL-3 were positively correlated with age, while negative correlations were observed for monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and IL-8 (P<0.05). Further multivariate analysis revealed that age was an independent associated factor of MCP-1 (β=−0.337, P<0.001). IL-3 (β=−0.490, P=0.006) and EGF (β=−0.415, P=0.044) were significantly correlated with the postoperative inflammatory response [evaluation of posterior capsule opacification (EPCO)] at 3 and 12 months after surgery, respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the dynamic change in the cytokine profile of the aqueous humor in children and its relationship with the postoperative inflammatory response. These findings can serve as the foundation for further investigation into the mechanisms that underlie the early development of intraocular immunology.

The role of IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism and intraocular IL-6 levels in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the key regulators behind the inflammatory and pathological process associated with ophthalmic diseases. The role of IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism as well as intraocular IL-6 levels among various eye disease patients differ across studies and has not been systematically reviewed. Thus, this study aims to provide a summary to understand the relationship between IL-6 and ophthalmic disease. In total, 8,252 and 11,014 subjects for IL-6-174 G/C and intraocular levels of IL-6, respectively, were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. No association was found between IL-6-174 G/C polymorphisms with ocular diseases. Subgroup analyses revealed a suggestive association between the GC genotype of IL-6-174 G/C with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Further, the level of intraocular IL-6 among ocular disease patients in general was found to be higher than the control group [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-1.58, P < 0.00001]. Closer examination through subgroup analyses yielded similar results in several ocular diseases. This study thus indicates that the IL-6-174 G/C polymorphism does not predispose patients to ocular disease, although the GC genotype is likely to be a genetic biomarker for PDR. Moreover, intraocular IL-6 concentrations are related to the specific manifestations of the ophthalmic diseases. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm this conclusion.

Higher TGF-β2 Level in the Aqueous Humor of the Second Eye Versus the First Eye in the Course of Sequential Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To assess the differences in cytokine levels in the aqueous humor (AH) of bilateral eyes receiving sequential phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.Methods: The levels of 33 cytokines in AH samples collected from separate single-eye operations of 26 age-related cataract patients who experiencing sequential cataract surgery were compared between the first-eye and second-eye groups.Results: The AH level of transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2), an immunosuppression regulator, in the second-eye group was significantly higher than that in the first-eye group (p = 0.002). No differences in the concentrations or detection rates of other cytokines were observed between the first- and second-eye groups.Conclusion: During bilateral sequential cataract surgery, the AH of the second eye had a higher level of TGF-β2 but not of proinflammatory cytokines or chemokines compared with those in the first eye, implying a protective mechanism preventing the sympathetic immune reaction induced by the first-eye cataract surgery.

Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure of One Eye Stimulates Sympathizing Expression of Neurokinin-1 Receptor but Not Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in the Partner Eye

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of unilateral ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure on the unexposed, partner eye in vivo. To characterize the immunological cross-talk between the eyes and verify a sympathizing reaction of the partner eye via a neurokinin-dependent signaling pathway of substance P and its neurokinin-1 receptor (NKR-1) and/or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were unilaterally exposed in vivo to UVR-B to a 5-fold cataract threshold equivalent dose of 14.5 kJ/m2 with a UV irradiation Bio-Spectra system. The unexposed contralateral eye was completely shielded during irradiation. After 3 and 7 days post exposure, eyes were stained with fluorescence-coupled antibody for substance P NKR-1. The same was performed in control animals receiving only anesthesia but no UVR-B exposure. NKR-1 and MCP-1 levels in ocular tissue lysates were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

UVR-B induces NKR-1 upregulation after 3 and 7 days in the exposed and in the unexposed, contralateral mouse eye. NKR-1 protein level was upregulated in the exposed and contralateral iris/ciliary body complex, choroidea and in the contralateral retina as well as in the exposed cornea. MCP-1 levels were elevated in the exposed cornea, iris/ciliary body complex, and aqueous humor but not in contralateral ocular tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

UVR-B exposure triggers NKR-1 upregulation not only in the exposed but also in the unexposed, partner eye in various ocular tissues. Following UVR-B exposure, MCP-1 protein levels are upregulated in the exposed eye, but the contralateral side remains unaffected.

Deficiency of Yes-Associated Protein Induces Cataract in Mice

Cataract is a major cause of blindness worldwide, its complicated and unclear etiopathogenesis limit effective therapy. Here, we found that Yap, a downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, is specifically expressed in lens epithelial cells and Yap conditional knockout (cKO) in the lens leads to cataract. Histologically, Yap deficient lens show fewer epithelial cells, retention of nuclei and accumulation of morgagnian globules in the transitional zone and the posterior area. Mechanistically, GFAP-mediated Yap cKO leads to the reduced proliferation of epithelial cells, delayed fiber cell denucleation and increased cellular senescence in lens. Further RNA profiling analysis reveals Yap cKO results in a significant alteration in gene transcription that is involved in eye development, lens structure, inflammation, cellular proliferation and polarity. Collectively, our data reveal a novel function of Yap in the lens and links Yap deficiency with the development of cataract, making Yap a promising target for cataract therapy.

The Contribution of Fluoride to the Pathogenesis of Eye Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Public Health

This study provides diverse lines of evidence demonstrating that fluoride (F) exposure contributes to degenerative eye diseases by stimulating or inhibiting biological pathways associated with the pathogenesis of cataract, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. As elucidated in this study, F exerts this effect by inhibiting enolase, τ-crystallin, Hsp40, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, Nrf2, γ -GCS, HO-1 Bcl-2, FoxO1, SOD, PON-1 and glutathione activity, and upregulating NF-κB, IL-6, AGEs, HsP27 and Hsp70 expression. Moreover, F exposure leads to enhanced oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant activity. Based on the evidence presented in this study, it can be concluded that F exposure may be added to the list of identifiable risk factors associated with pathogenesis of degenerative eye diseases. The broader impact of these findings suggests that reducing F intake may lead to an overall reduction in the modifiable risk factors associated with degenerative eye diseases. Further studies are required to examine this association and determine differences in prevalence rates amongst fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities, taking into consideration other dietary sources of F such as tea. Finally, the findings of this study elucidate molecular pathways associated with F exposure that may suggest a possible association between F exposure and other inflammatory diseases. Further studies are also warranted to examine these associations.

Preoperative profile of inflammatory factors in aqueous humor correlates with postoperative inflammatory response in patients with congenital cataract

Purpose

To measure the aqueous humor concentrations of inflammatory factors in patients with congenital cataract and to investigate the relationship between the levels and postoperative inflammatory responses.

Methods

Aqueous humor samples were prospectively collected from 65 eyes of children with congenital cataracts from January to June 2015. The levels of 41 inflammation-related cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in aqueous humor were measured using multiplex bead immunoassay. Data on patient demographics and postoperative inflammatory response evaluation of posterior capsule opacification (EPCO) scores were collected for correlation analysis of short- and long-term postoperative inflammatory responses, respectively.

Results

Fifteen inflammatory factors were differentially expressed between congenital cataract and age-related cataract. EGF and IL-3 were positively correlated, whereas IL-8 and MCP-1 were negatively correlated with age. TNFα, IL-17A, IL-3, and sCD40L were preferably expressed in specific morphological types of congenital cataract. One month and 3 months postoperatively, PDGF-AA exhibited a positive correlation with the EPCO scores, whereas IL-1RA exhibited a negative correlation. Macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) showed a positive correlation with the EPCO scores 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusions

This study provided a comprehensive preoperative profile of inflammatory factors and their correlations with postoperative inflammatory responses in patients with congenital cataract. These factors may serve as potential biomarkers to predict the postoperative inflammatory response. These findings will also facilitate the development of anti-inflammatory medications in the perioperative period.

High-throughput sequencing reveals novel lincRNA in age-related cataract

Age-related cataract (ARC) is a major cause of blindness. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a heterogeneous class of RNAs that are non-protein-coding transcripts >200 nucleotides in length. LncRNAs are involved in various critical biological processes, such as chromatin remodeling, gene transcription, and protein transport and trafficking. Furthermore, the dysregulation of lncRNAs causes a number of complex human diseases, including coronary artery diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders and various cancers. However, the role of lncRNA in cataract remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, lens anterior capsular membrane was collected from normal subjects and patients with ARC and total RNA was extracted. High-throughput sequencing was applied to detect differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs. The analysis identified a total of 42,556 candidate differentially expressed mRNAs (27,447 +15,109) and a total of 7,041 candidate differentially expressed lncRNAs (4,146 + 2,895). Through bioinformatics analysis, the significant differential expression of novel lincRNA was observed and its possible molecular mechanism was explored. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the different expression levels of selected lncRNAs. These findings may lead to the development of novel strategies for genetic diagnosis and gene therapy.

Withania somnifera as a potential anxiolytic and immunomodulatory agent in acute sleep deprived female Wistar rats

Sleep is a profound regulator of cellular immunity, and the curtailment of sleep in present day lifestyle leads to disruption of neuro-immune-endocrine interactions. No therapeutic remedy is yet known for the amelioration of detrimental effects caused by sleep deprivation (SD). The current study was aimed to elucidate the effects of acute SD on immune function and its modulation by water extract from leaves of Withania somnifera (ASH-WEX). Three groups of animals, i.e. Vehicle-Undisturbed sleep (VUD), Vehicle-Sleep deprived (VSD) and ASH-WEX fed sleep deprived (WSD) rats were tested for their anxiety-like behaviour and further used for the study of inflammatory and apoptotic markers expression in piriform cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain. VSD animals showed high level of anxiety in elevated plus maze test, which was ameliorated in WSD group. The stress induced expression of inflammatory and immune response markers GFAP, TNFα, IL-6, OX-18 and OX-42 in VSD animals was found to be modulated by ASH-WEX. Further, the stress induced apoptosis was suppressed in WSD group as indicated by expression of NF-κB, AP-1, Bcl-xL and Cytochrome c. This study provides scientific validation to the anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of ASH-WEX, which may serve as an effective dietary supplement for management of SD induced stress and associated functional impairments.

Age-Related Cataract Is Associated with Elevated Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels in the South Korean Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Previous research has suggested that immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated events lead to several chronic diseases. We investigated the association between allergic conditions and age-related cataracts in the South Korean adult population.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed using data obtained from 1,170 participants aged 40 years or older who were enrolled in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between age-related cataracts and allergic conditions, including total serum IgE and allergen-specific serum IgE levels, after adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, sun exposure, blood pressure, plasma glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as histories of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis).

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for age-related cataract was greater in participants with higher total serum IgE levels (OR = 1.37; P = 0.044). In particular, increased IgE levels were significantly associated with nuclear cataract (OR = 1.42; P = 0.032). However, allergen-specific serum IgE levels did not differ significantly between groups. In the trend analysis, no significant relationship was observed between serum IgE and any type of age-related cataract.

Conclusion

Increased total serum IgE level is independently associated with age-related cataracts after adjustment for confounding factors.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: review of a rare autoimmune disease targeting antigens of melanocytes

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKHD) is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disease that affects pigmented structures, such as eye, inner ear, meninges, skin and hair. This disease is mainly a Th1 lymphocyte mediated aggression to melanocytes after a viral trigger in the presence of HLA-DRB1*0405 allele. The absence of ocular trauma or previous intraocular surgery sets VKHD appart from sympathetic ophthalmia, its main differential diagnosis. The disease has an acute onset of bilateral blurred vision with hyperemia preceded by flu-like symptoms. The acute uveitic stage is characterized by a diffuse choroiditis with serous retinal detachment and optic disc hyperemia and edema. Fluorescein angiography in this phase demonstrates multiple early hyperfluorescent points. After the acute uveitic stage, ocular and integumentary system pigmentary changes may appear. Ocular findings may be accompanied by lymphocytic meningitis, hearing impairment and/or tinnitus in a variable proportion of patients. Prompt diagnosis followed by early, aggressive and long-term treatment with high-dose corticosteroids is most often ensued by good visual outcomes. However, some patients may experience chronic uveal inflammation with functional eye deterioration. The current review discusses the general features of VKHD, including epidemiology, classification into categories, differential diagnosis and current therapeutic approaches.

Copy number variants and genetic polymorphisms in TBX21, GATA3, Rorc, Foxp3 and susceptibility to Behcet's disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

This study aimed to investigate the role of genetic variants including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) of TBX21, GATA3, Rorc and Foxp3 genes in Behcet's disease (BD) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in a Chinese Han population. Genotyping of 25 SNPs was performed by iPLEX system (Sequenom) or polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). TaqMan real time PCR was used to assess CNVs. The expression of Rorc and Foxp3 were examined by real-time PCR and cytokine production was measured by ELISA. High Rorc CNV was associated with the susceptibility to BD (P = 8.99 × 10(-8), OR = 3.0), and low Foxp3 CNV predisposed to BD in female patients (P = 1.92 × 10(-5), OR = 3.1). CNVs for the investigated genes were not altered in VKH syndrome. Further functional studies demonstrated that the relative mRNA expression levels of Rorc were increased in individuals with high Rorc copy number, but not for Foxp3. Increased production of IL-1β and IL-6 was found in individuals carrying a high CNV of Rorc. Our study showed that high CNVs of Rorc and low CNVs of Foxp3 confer risk for BD but not for VKH syndrome. The tested 25 SNPs in TBX21, GATA3, Rorc and Foxp3 did not associate with BD and VKH syndrome.