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PURPOSE: To determine whether clinical characteristics are correlated with increased levels of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) in the aqueous humor in glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: Aqueous humor samples were collected from 91 glaucomatous eyes. Samples were included from 40 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes, 18 (pseudo)exfoliation syndrome (EXS) eyes, 26 primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes, and seven uveitis-related secondary glaucoma (SG) eyes. TGF-β2 in the aqueous humor was assessed with a specific-capture ELISA. RESULTS: The mean concentration (± standard error) of mature (biologically active) TGF-β2 in the aqueous humor of eyes with POAG was 293.6 ± 33.6 pg/ml, significantly higher than that in eyes with PACG, EXS and SG: 147.5 ± 28.1, 135.8 ± 30.2 and 41.0 ± 10.7 pg/ml, respectively (p = 0.0006, p = 0.0010, and p = 0.0003, respectively; analysis of variance). The mean concentration (± standard error) of total TGF-β2 in the aqueous humor of eyes with POAG was 1647.6 ± 124.5 pg/ml, not significantly different from that in eyes with PACG, EXS or SG: 1482.9 ± 148.2, 1442.7 ± 187.8, and 1929.0 ± 367.6 pg/ml, respectively. A multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed significant correlations between mature TGF-β2 concentration and history of cataract surgery (p = 0.0225) and the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (p = 0.0143). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that increased levels of TGF-β2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of POAG.
H. Tanihara, Department of Ophthalmology, Tenri Hospital, Mishima-cho 200, Tenri, Nara 632-8552; Japan
2.6 Aqueous humor dynamics (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)