In a novel autoimmune and high-pressure glaucoma model a complex immune response is induced.

Background: The neurodegenerative processes leading to glaucoma are complex. In addition to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), an involvement of immunological mechanisms is most likely. In the new multifactorial glaucoma model, a combination of high IOP and optic nerve antigen (ONA) immunization leads to an enhanced loss of retinal ganglion cells accompanied by a higher number of microglia/macrophages in the inner retina. Here, we aimed to evaluate the immune response in this new model, especially the complement activation and the number of T-cells, for the first time. Further, the microglia/macrophage response was examined in more detail. Methods: Six-week-old wildtype (WT+ONA) and ßB1-connective tissue growth factor high-pressure mice (CTGF+ONA) were immunized with 1 mg ONA. A wildtype control (WT) and a CTGF group (CTGF) received NaCl instead. Six weeks after immunization, retinae from all four groups were processed for immunohistology, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry, while serum was used for microarray analyses. Results: We noticed elevated numbers of C1q+ cells (classical complement pathway) in CTGF and CTGF+ONA retinae as well as an upregulation of C1qa, C1qb, and C1qc mRNA levels in these groups. While the complement C3 was only increased in CTGF and CTGF+ONA retinae, enhanced numbers of the terminal membrane attack complex were noted in all three glaucoma groups. Flow cytometry and RT-qPCR analyses revealed an enhancement of different microglia/macrophages markers, including CD11b, especially in CTGF and CTGF+ONA retinae. Interestingly, increased retinal mRNA as well as serum levels of the tumor necrosis factor α were found throughout the different glaucoma groups. Lastly, more T-cells could be observed in the ganglion cell layer of the new CTGF+ONA model. Conclusion: These results emphasize an involvement of the complement system, microglia/macrophages, and T-cells in glaucomatous disease. Moreover, in the new multifactorial glaucoma model, increased IOP in combination with autoimmune processes seem to enforce an additional T-cell response, leading to a more persistent pathology. Hence, this new model mimics the pathomechanisms occurring in human glaucoma more accurately and could therefore be a helpful tool to find new therapeutic approaches for patients in the future.

Changes of Subjective Symptoms and Tear Film Biomarkers Following Lenticule Extraction.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of lenticule extraction on subjective symptoms and objective biomarkers of dry eye and to clarify relationships between markers and find indicators for subjective symptoms after lenticule extraction. METHODS: Right eyes of myopic patients undergoing lenticule extraction surgery (n = 35) were examined preoperatively and 5 and 90 days postoperatively using established clinical dry eye examination methods (tear film break-up time [BUT], Schirmer test, lissamine green and fluorescein staining, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire). A patient subset was also examined after 1 year (n = 14). Tear samples were eluted from Schirmer strips and then measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), interleukin-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, matrix metallopeptidase 9 [MMP-9], nerve growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Postoperatively, unpreserved ofloxacin and dexamethasone eye drops were given (four times a day for 10 days). RESULTS: BUT decreased at days 5 (P = .023) and 90 (P = .025). Lissamine green staining increased at day 90 (P = .036). OSDI values increased at day 5 (total values, vision-related function, ocular symptoms, all P < .001, but not environmental triggers) and at day 90 (vision-related function, P = .017). A downregulation of CGRP (P = .006) and MMP-9 levels (P = .042) was observed on day 5 compared to day 90. CONCLUSIONS: Due to incongruity of patient symptoms, clinical signs, and tear protein changes, no predictive indicator was found, but some patients reported increased discomfort. Changes after lenticule extraction are not exclusively due to dry eye. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(9):597-604.].

Increased Angiopoietin-1 and -2 levels in human vitreous are associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of blindness in adults. The objective of this study was to elucidate the diabetic retinopathy pathophysiology in more detail by comparing protein alterations in human vitreous of different diabetic retinopathy stages. METHODS: Vitreous samples were obtained from 116 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy. Quantitative immunoassays were performed of angiogenic factors (VEGF-A, PIGF, Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoietin-2, Galectin-1) as well as cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-8, IFN-γ, TNF-α, CCL3) in samples from control patients (patients who don't suffer from diabetes; n = 58) as well as diabetes mellitus patients without retinopathy (n = 25), non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 12), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (n = 21). In addition, correlation analysis of protein levels in vitreous samples and fasting glucose values of these patients as well as correlation analyses of protein levels and VEGF-A were performed. RESULTS: We detected up-regulated levels of VEGF-A (p = 0.001), PIGF (p<0.001), Angiopoietin-1 (p = 0.005), Angiopoietin-2 (p<0.001), IL-1ß (p = 0.012), and IL-8 (p = 0.018) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy samples. Interestingly, we found a strong positive correlation between Angiopoietin-2 and VEGF-A levels as well as a positive correlation between Angiopoietin-1 and VEGF-A. CONCLUSION: This indicated that further angiogenic factors, besides VEGF, but also pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in disease progression and development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In contrast, factors other than angiogenic factors seem to play a crucial role in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy development. A detailed breakdown of the pathophysiology contributes to future detection and treatment of the disease.

Changes of Subjective Symptoms and Tear Film Biomarkers following Femto-LASIK.

Femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Femto-LASIK) represents a common treatment modality in refractive surgery and shows excellent results in terms of safety, efficacy, predictability, and long-term stability. However, patients may be affected by dry eye symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify a potential association between subjective dry eye symptoms, objective dry eye markers, and possible changes in the tear film, which could be a target for future therapy development. Therefore, clinical (dry eye) examinations (OSDI, Schirmer test, lissamine green and fluorescein staining, BUT, visual acuity) were carried out before LASIK as well as 5 and 90 days post-OP. The dry eye marker MMP-9, cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-8), and pain markers (NGF, CGRP) were quantified in tear samples with immunoassays. In addition, correlation analyses were performed. Clinical examinations revealed an upregulated OSDI score 5 days post-OP and an increased lissamine green staining score 90 days post-OP. Downregulated CGRP levels were noted 5 days post-OP, while other protein markers were not significantly altered after Femto-LASIK. Hence, Femto-LASIK surgery induced subjective symptoms like that of dry eye which could objectively rather be classified as Femto-LASIK-related discomfort. In the future, this could possibly be better detected and treated using pain markers such as CGRP.

Enhanced glaucomatous damage accompanied by glial response in a new multifactorial mouse model.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a complex, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. It seems that, among others, immune processes, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), or a combination of these factors are responsible for glaucomatous damage. Here, we combined two glaucoma models to examine if a combination of risk factors (IOP and immune response) results in a more severe damage of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the optic nerves as well as an additional glia activation. Methods: Six-week-old wildtype (WT+ONA) and ßB1-Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) mice (CTGF+ONA) were immunized with 1 mg ONA (optic nerve antigen). A WT and a CTGF control group (CTGF) received sodium chloride instead. IOP was measured before and every two weeks after immunization. After six weeks, electroretinogram (ERG) measurements were performed. Then, retinae and optic nerves were processed for (immuno-) histology. Further, mRNA levels of corresponding genes in optic nerve and retina were analyzed via RT-qPCR. Results: Six weeks after immunization, the IOP in CTGF and CTGF+ONA mice was increased. The optic nerve of CTGF+ONA animals displayed the most severe cell inflammation, demyelination, and macroglia activation. Fewer numbers of oligodendrocytes were only observed in WT+ONA optic nerves, while more apoptotic cells triggered by the extrinsic pathway could be revealed in all three glaucoma groups. The number of microglia/macrophages was not altered within the optic nerves of all groups. The loss of neuronal cells, especially RGCs was most pronounced in CTGF+ONA retinae in the central part and this was accompanied by an enhanced activation of microglia/macrophages. Also, Müller cell activation could be noted in CTGF and CTGF+ONA retinae. Discussion: In this new model, an additive degeneration could be noted in optic nerves as well as in the number of RGCs. These results suggest a potential additive role of high IOP and immune factors in glaucoma development, which will aid for understanding this multifactorial disease more precisely in the future.

Proteomic Analysis of Retinal Tissue in an S100B Autoimmune Glaucoma Model.

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to damage of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve. Patients display altered antibody profiles and increased antibody titer, e.g., against S100B. To identify the meaning of these antibodies, animals were immunized with S100B. Retinal ganglion cell loss, optic nerve degeneration, and increased glial cell activity were noted. Here, we aimed to gain more insights into the pathophysiology from a proteomic point of view. Hence, rats were immunized with S100B, while controls received sodium chloride. After 7 and 14 days, retinae were analyzed through mass spectrometry and immunohistology. Using data-independent acquisition-based mass spectrometry, we identified more than 1700 proteins on a high confidence level for both study groups, respectively. Of these 1700, 43 proteins were significantly altered in retinae after 7 days and 67 proteins revealed significant alterations at 14 days. For example, α2-macroglobulin was found significantly increased not only by mass spectrometry analysis, but also with immunohistological staining in S100B retinae at 7 and 14 days. All in all, the identified proteins are often associated with the immune system, such as heat shock protein 60. Once more, these data underline the important role of immunological factors in glaucoma pathogenesis.