Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-c: Potential Therapeutic Candidate in Retinal Diseases.

Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c (MOTS-c) is the most unearthed peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). It is an important regulator of the nuclear genome during times of stress because it promotes an adaptive stress response to maintain cellular homeostasis. Identifying MOTS-c specific binding partners may aid in deciphering the complex web of mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded signals. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction have been linked to aging and the accelerated cell death associated with many types of retinal degenerations. Furthermore, research on MOTS-c ability to revive oxidatively stressed RPE cells has revealed a significant protective role for the molecule. Evidence suggests that senescent cells play a role in the development of age-related retinal disorders. This review examines the links between MOTS-c, mitochondria, and age-related diseases of the retina. Moreover, the untapped potential of MOTS-c as a treatment for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration is reviewed.

Vitreal Concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vitreous humor of patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). This is a prospective case control study. Eighteen patients with primary RRD without proliferative vitreoretinopathy C (PVR C) were enrolled as cases, and twenty-two non-diabetic retinopathy patients who were candidates for complete pars plana vitrectomy due to Macular Hole or Epiretinal Membrane were included as the control group. Undiluted vitreal samples were collected during the initiation of Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) prior to any infusion into the posterior cavity. Vitreous samples were also collected from 21 fresh cadaveric globes. The vitreous concentration of VEGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and compared between these two groups. The vitreal concentration of VEGF was 0.643 ± 0.088 ng/mL in the RRD group. Measured concentrations of VEGF in controls were 0.043 ± 0.104 ng/mL, and in cadaveric eyes they were 0.033 ± 0.058 ng/mL. The mean VEGF concentration in the RRD group was statistically higher than in the control group (p < 0.0001) and cadaveric eyes (p < 0.0001). Our study shows that vitreal VEGF concentrations significantly increase in patients with RRD.

Peripheral blood CD163(+) monocytes and soluble CD163 in dry and neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Macrophages are the main infiltrating immune cells in choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a hallmark of the human wet, or neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Due to their plasticity and ability to adapt to the local microenvironment in a tissue-dependent manner, macrophages display polar functional phenotypes characterized by their cell surface markers and their cytokine profiles. We found accumulation of hemoglobin-scavenging cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163)(+) macrophages in laser-induced CNV lesions and higher expression of CD163(+) monocytes in the peripheral blood on day 7 post injury in mice. In comparison, CD80(+) macrophages did not differ with laser-injury in young or aged mice and did not significantly change in the peripheral blood of CNV mice. We examined the percentages of CD163(+), CD206(+), and CD80(+) monocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with wet AMD, patients with dry AMD, and in age-matched individuals without AMD as controls. Percentages of peripheral blood CD163(+) monocytes in both dry AMD (P < .001) and wet AMD (P < .05) were higher than in age-matched non-AMD controls, while there was no difference between the groups in the percentages of peripheral CD206(+) and CD80(+) monocytes. Further, serum level of soluble CD163 (sCD163) was elevated only in patients with wet AMD (P < .05). An examination of 40 cytokine levels across the study groups revealed that anti-VEGF treated patients with wet AMD, who showed no exudative signs on the day of blood drawing had a cytokine profile that was similar to that of non-AMD individuals. These results indicate that CD163 could be further evaluated for its potential as a useful marker of disease activity in patients with neovascular AMD. Future studies will address the origin and potential mechanistic role of CD163(+) macrophages in wet AMD pathologies of angiogenesis and leakage of blood components.

Unilateral Keratectasia Treated with Femtosecond Fashioned Intrastromal Corneal Inlay.

PURPOSE: In this case report, we describe the surgical procedure of corneal inlay preparation and corneal pocket creation using a femtosecond laser system. CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old girl who presented with unilateral paracentral corneal thinning underwent the surgical procedure of corneal inlay. Preoperatively, the refraction was +10.00-6.00 × 170. One month after the procedure, astigmatism and hyperopia were decreased and the refraction was +5.00-1.25 × 110. CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser-assisted pocket creation for the implantation of corneal inlays offers accuracy of pocket parameters, enhancing predictability, resulting in better final outcomes, and improving the safety of the procedure.

Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab in Primary Vitrectomy to Decrease the Rate of Retinal Redetachment: A Randomized Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) as a surgical adjunct in prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: In this controlled, randomized pilot study, 27 patients with primary retinal detachment undergoing pars plana deep vitrectomy were included. Of these, 12 received IVB at the end of procedure. The anatomic success and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared to the control group at months 3 and 6 postoperatively. RESULTS: At three month follow-up, 3 of 11 eyes (27.3%) had detached retinas in the IVB group versus 6 of 12 (50.0%) in the control group (P = 0.40). At six-month follow-up, 3 of 10 eyes (30%) had detached retinas in the IVB group versus 3 in 8 (37.5%) in the control group (P > 0.99). Mean logMAR BCVA improved significantly in both groups relative to baseline, but did not show a significant difference at three-and six-month follow-ups between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results show neither a benefit nor any harm from intervention in both anatomic and visual outcomes. Our results support conducting additional studies to evaluate the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on postoperative PVR.

Evaluation of corneal elevation in eyes with subclinical keratoconus and keratoconus using Galilei double Scheimpflug analyzer.

PURPOSE: To measure corneal elevations in eyes with subclinical keratoconus and those with keratoconus using the Galilei Scheimpflug analyzer and to determine the optimal corneal elevation cutoff points to maximize sensitivity and specificity in discriminating keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus from normal corneas. 
 METHODS: A total of 136 normal eyes, 23 eyes with subclinical keratoconus, and 51 eyes with keratoconus were enrolled. Maximum anterior and posterior corneal elevation was measured in the central 3-, 5-, and 7-mm zones using the Galilei double Scheimpflug camera. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the measured parameters and to identify optimal cutoff points for discriminating keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus from normal corneas. 
 RESULTS: Mean anterior and posterior corneal elevations in all zones were statistically higher in keratoconus and subclinical keratoconus versus normal corneas. The posterior elevation measurement in the 3-mm zone had the strongest power to distinguish keratoconus from normal. The corresponding figure for the 7-mm zone, however, had the strongest power to distinguish eyes with subclinical keratoconus (area under the curve, 0.98 and 0.92, respectively). Optimal cutoff point for posterior elevation in the 3-mm zone was 18.5 µm for keratoconus (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 95%). The corresponding figure in the 7-mm zone was 50.5 µm for subclinical keratoconus (sensitivity, 79.9%; specificity, 94.0%). 
 CONCLUSIONS: Anterior and posterior elevations measured by the Galilei analyzer in the 3-mm zone can effectively discriminate keratoconus from normal corneas. These measurements in the 7-mm zone can be considered to distinguish subclinical keratoconus.