The Antibiotic Kitasamycin-A Potential Agent for Specific Fibrosis Preventing Therapy after Fistulating Glaucoma Surgery?

One major complication after fistulating glaucoma surgeries are fibroblast-mediated scarring processes and their specific prevention is key in the development of novel pharmaceutical concepts. Within this study a possible antifibrotic potential of kitasamycin (KM) in a transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1-mediated fibroblast model was evaluated in vitro. Primary ocular fibroblasts were isolated, cultivated and a dose-response test including determination of the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) for KM was conducted. Transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts was induced by TGF-ß1and immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blot (WB) analyses were performed with fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. IF analyses were carried out using antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin, and protein detection of intracellular and extracellular proteins was performed by WB. Using the dose-response test, the viability, cytotoxicity and EC50 of KM after 24 and 48 h were determined. Fibroblasts exposed to various KM concentrations showed no increase in α-SMA and extracellular matrix expression. In TGF-ß1-stimulated myofibroblasts, KM inhibited the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that KM could impair the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and the expression of proteins involved in fibrotic processes, representing a potential agent for specific fibrosis prevention in future therapeutic concepts.

Gene Expression Data for Investigating Glaucoma Treatment Options and Pharmacology in the Anterior Segment, State-of-the-Art and Future Directions.

Glaucoma treatment options as well as its etiology are far from understood. Gene expression (transcriptomics) data of the anterior segment of the eye can help by elucidating the molecular-mechanistic underpinnings, and we present an up-to-date description and discussion of what gene expression data are publicly available, and for which purposes these can be used. We feature the few resources covering all segments of the eye, and we then specifically focus on the anterior segment, and provide an extensive list of the Gene Expression Omnibus data that may be useful. We also feature single-cell data of relevance, particularly three datasets from tissues of relevance to aqueous humor outflow. We describe how the data have been used by researchers, by following up resource citations and data re-analyses. We discuss datasets and analyses pertaining to fibrosis following glaucoma surgery, and to glaucoma resulting from the use of steroids. We conclude by pointing out the current lack and underutilization of ocular gene expression data, and how the state of the art is expected to improve in the future.

Evidence against involvement of kynurenate branch of kynurenine pathway in pathophysiology of Fuchs' dystrophy and keratoconus.

Kynurenine aminotransferases (KAT) are enzymes catalyzing formation of kynurenic acid (KYNA) from kynurenine. KYNA is a Janus-faced molecule of high biological activity. On the one hand KYNA was identified as a UV filter and neuroprotectant with free radical scavenging properties, but on the other hand it may contribute to photodamage of lens proteins resulting in cataract formation. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and keratoconus (KC) are common, vision threatening corneal dystrophies whose etiology is not fully understood. In our previous works, we confirmed the presence of KATs in the human cornea together with GPR35, a receptor for KYNA. This prompted us to investigate the potential changes in the expression of three isoforms: KAT I, KAT II, and KAT III in normal and FECD- and KC-affected corneas. Immunohistochemistry accompanied by gene expression data mining revealed that the levels of neither KAT I, KAT II, nor KAT III are affected in FECD and KC. This constitutes evidence against the involvement of KATs in the pathophysiology of FECD and KC.

Evaluation of Choroidal Melanoma Vascularization by Color Doppler Flow Imaging: An Option for Follow-Up Tumor Control Assessment after CyberKnife®?

Background and Objectives: Thus far, tumor control for choroidal melanoma after teletherapeutic radiation is clinically difficult. In contrast to brachytherapy, the tumor height does not necessarily have to shrink as a result of teletherapy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate tumor vascularization determined by color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) as a possible approach for monitoring the therapy response after teletherapy of choroidal melanoma. Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective pilot study of 24 patients was conducted, all of whom had been diagnosed with choroidal neoplasm, treated and followed up. Besides tumor vascularization, the following parameters were collected: age, gender, tumor entity, location, radiation dose, knowledge of relapse, tumor height, radiation-related complications, occurrence of metastases, visual acuity in logMAR. Results: The level of choroidal melanoma vascularization markedly decreased in all included subjects after treatment with the CyberKnife® technology. Initially, the level of vascularization was 2.1 (SD: 0.76 for n = 10); post-therapeutically, it averaged 0.14 (SD: 0.4). Regarding the tumor apex, CDFI sonography also demonstrated a significant tumor regression (mean value pre-therapeutically: 8.35 mm-SD: 3.92 for n = 10; mean value post-therapeutically: 4.86 mm-SD: 3.21). The level of choroidal melanoma vascularization declined in the patient collective treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. The pre-therapeutic level of vascularization of 2 (SD: 0 for n = 2) decreased significantly to a level of 0 (mean: 0-SD: 0). The tumor height determined by CDFI did not allow any valid statement regarding local tumor control. In contrast to these findings, the patient population of the control group without any radiation therapy did not show any alterations in vascularization. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the determination of the tumor vascularization level using CDFI might be a useful and supplementary course parameter in the follow-up care of choroidal melanoma to monitor the success of treatment. This especially applies to robot-assisted radiotherapy using CyberKnife®. Further studies are necessary to validate the first results of this assessment.

Citicoline: A Candidate for Adjunct Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

In remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), relapses are driven by autoreactive immune cells that enter the brain and spinal cord and damage myelin sheaths of axons in white and grey matter, whereas during remissions myelin is repaired by activated oligodendroglial cells. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) may either retard/attenuate myelin damage or promote/enhance/speed up myelin repair. Almost all currently approved DMTs inhibit myelin damage and are considerably toxic. Enhancement of myelin repair is considered an unmet medical need of MS patients. Citicoline, known for many years as a nootropic and neuroprotective drug and recently pronounced food supplement, has been found to be significantly efficacious in two complementary rodent models of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and cuprizone-induced myelin toxicity. Moreover, citicoline treatment improves visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in glaucoma patients, which is relevant because VEP monitoring is frequently used as an indicator of remyelination in MS. Although over-the-counter availability of citicoline may impede its formal translation to the clinic of MS, evaluation of its efficacy for supporting remyelination in this disease is strongly indicated.

[The role of citicoline in glaucoma]. / Bedeutung von Citicolin bei der Glaukomerkrankung.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many experimental and clinical studies have shown that in glaucoma, neuronal degeneration occurs not only at the level of the retina and optic nerve, but also along the entire visual pathway and the brain. OBJECTIVE: This article presents the neuroprotective effects of citicoline and their mechanisms in glaucoma disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relevance of citicoline is explained against the background of neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, and the pathogenesis of glaucoma. Data from experimental and clinical studies are presented and a conclusion is drawn for clinical application. RESULTS: Citicoline has a neuroprotective effect via mechanisms relevant to glaucoma. The neuroprotective effect of citicoline in open-angle glaucoma can be demonstrated functionally and morphologically. It is independent of the glaucoma damage and intraocular pressure, and usually occurs only after 1 year. The effects of oral citicoline occur at a daily dose of 500-1000 mg. Citicoline can be taken permanently or in cycles. No side effects occurred in the studies when taking citicoline. Citicoline can improve cognitive performance and thus treatment adherence as well as quality of life in glaucoma patients. CONCLUSION: This relatively old nootropic drug, which is now marketed as a food supplement, seems to be a valuable addition to conventional treatment and also a rational option for prophylaxis of open-angle glaucoma.

Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps occlude Meibomian glands during ocular surface inflammation.

PURPOSE: Obstructive Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the leading causes of evaporative dry eye disease. Meibomian glands at the eyelid secrete lipids that prevent evaporation of the aqueous tear film. The pathogenesis of obstructive MGD is incompletely understood to date. Herein, we aim to investigate the pathogenesis of obstructive MGD using murine and human samples with various forms of ocular surface inflammation. METHOD: The presence of Neutrophil extracellular Traps (NETs) was detected with immunofluorescence analysis of ocular surface discharge and biopsy samples from patients with blepharitis. Tear fluid from patients with MGD and blepharitis were evaluated for the presence of inflammatory mediators using bead based immunoassay. Murine model of allergic eye disease (AED) was performed to investigate the role of NETs in MG occlusion. RESULTS: we show that the ocular discharge from patients with blepharitis contains aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (aggNETs). Furthermore, the ducts of human Meibomian glands affected by blepharitis were largely congested by aggNETs. Tear fluid from patients with MGD showed elevated neutrophil chemoattractants (C5a, IL6, IL8 and IL18). C5a and IL8 correlated with the degree of deficiency of tear fluid. In the murine model of allergic eye disease (AED), aggNETs accumulated in the MG leading to occlusion of their ducts and the retrograde pent-up of the fluid followed by acinar atrophy. Constraining aggNET formation by genetic or pharmacological inhibition of peptidyl arginine deiminase type 4 (PADI4) effectively reduced MG damage. CONCLUSION: We conclude that aggNETs occlude MG causing MGD after ocular surface inflammation.

Non-invasive detection of corneal sub-basal nerve plexus changes in multiple myeloma patients by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

PURPOSE: Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a non-invasive technique for cellular in vivo imaging of the human cornea. CLSM screening was evaluated for early detection of corneal nerve morphology changes and neuropathogenic events in different stage multiple myeloma (MM) patients. As MM patients show disease as well as therapy-related neuropathological symptoms, CLSM potentially provides a tool for non-invasive early detection of neuropathogenic events. CLSM findings were compared with the severity of peripheral neuropathic (PNP) symptoms. METHODS: The study enrolled 25 MM patients in which bilateral ophthalmologic examination was performed including unilateral CLSM. Further peripheral nerve function was clinically evaluated using the conventional neuropathy symptom and neuropathy deficit scores (NDSs). RESULTS: In 18/25 MM patients, CLSM detected atypical morphological appearance of bulb-like enlarged nerve endings in the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus. These neuromas were only found in patients showing moderate to severe PNP, in patients with mild or lacking PNP neuromas were absent. CONCLUSIONS: CLSM provides a novel non-invasive diagnostic tool for identification of neuromas in cancer patients affected by therapy or disease-related neuropathologies, perspectival allowing early neuronal degenerative process detection and monitoring.

Suppression of the TGF-ß pathway by a macrolide antibiotic decreases fibrotic responses by ocular fibroblasts in vitro.

To elucidate and to inhibit post-surgical fibrotic processes after trabeculectomy in glaucoma therapy, we measured gene expression in a fibrotic cell culture model, based on transforming growth factor TGF-ß induction in primary human tenon fibroblasts (hTFs), and used Connectivity Map (CMap) data for drug repositioning. We found that specific molecular mechanisms behind fibrosis are the upregulation of actins, the downregulation of CD34, and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL6, IL11 and BMP6. The macrolide antibiotic Josamycin (JM) reverses these molecular mechanisms according to data from the CMap, and we thus tested JM as an inhibitor of fibrosis. JM was first tested for its toxic effects on hTFs, where it showed no influence on cell viability, but inhibited hTF proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. We then demonstrated that JM suppresses the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In hTFs stimulated with TGF-ß1, JM specifically inhibited α-smooth muslce actin expression, suggesting that it inhibits the transformation of fibroblasts into fibrotic myofibroblasts. In addition, a decrease of components of the ECM such as fibronectin, which is involved in in vivo scarring, was observed. We conclude that JM may be a promising candidate for the treatment of fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery or drainage device implantation in vivo.

Assessment of the Efficacy of Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery Techniques using an Oculopression Stress Test. / Nicht invasiver Belastungstest zur Funktionsprüfung von mikroinvasiven Glaukomdrainage-Implantaten und Laserchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide. The only evidence-based treatment to slow down the progression of glaucoma is the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) using local medication or through surgery. During the last years, a large number of microinvasive glaucoma surgery techniques (MIGS) has been developed, in order to reduce the IOP in glaucoma patients safely and effectively. Until now, efficacy of MIGS has been assessed mainly according to the postoperative IOP and the number of medications used. Results from long-term studies are rare or not available in the majority of the cases. In order to better evaluate the functionality of MIGS, a new examination method has been developed with the help of a new oculopressor device. In this study the efficacy of different MIGS techniques will be examined using the new oculopressor. MATERIAL/METHODS: At first, glaucoma patients that had previously received a MIGS surgery (iStent inject, XEN Stent, ELT) were examined with the new oculopression test. Their results were compared with those of non-operated patients and healthy individuals. Overall, 38 healthy subjects (group 1), 10 non-operated patients (group 2), 19 patients after iStent inject implantation (group 3), 14 patients after XEN Stent implantation (group 4) and 5 patients after ELT (group 5) were examined. The new examination measures the IOP-reduction that occurs after oculopression and can be seen as an indirect measurement of the outflow facility of the eye. RESULTS: The IOP-reduction after oculopression differed among the study groups. Non-operated patients showed a significantly lower IOP-reduction compared to healthy individuals. Patients after iStent inject and XEN stent implantation showed a larger reduction of IOP after oculopression in relation to non-operated patients and their results approximated those of healthy individuals. These patients needed fewer medications postoperatively in relation to non-operated patients. Patients after ELT showed postoperatively a smaller reduction of IOP after oculopression compared to iStent inject and XEN stent patients. CONCLUSION: MIGS can increase the outflow facility of the eye in patients with glaucoma. Though ELT had the lowest impact on the aqueous outflow among the studied procedures in this study. The new test can help in the evaluation of current and further development of new MIGS in the future.

Histopathological Features and Ann Arbor Stage in Periocular Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate biodata, symptoms/signs, lymphoma type, localization, stage level, treatment choice and outcome of ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of 56 patients with OAL was performed from 1998 to 2018. RESULTS: OAL involved the orbit in 44.6%, the conjunctiva in 32.1%, the lacrimal apparatus in 14.3% and the eyelid in 8.93%. Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL) was found in 60.7%, follicular lymphoma (FL) in 21.4%, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 7.14%, mantle cell lymphoma in 5.36% and chronic lymphatic leukaemia in 5.36% patients. No relapse was seen in 76%. EMZL and FL had a significantly better overall survival compared to other lymphoma types (p=0.002). Patients with Ann Arbor stage IE had a significantly better prognosis than those with stages higher than IE (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that clinicopathological features such as Ann Arbor stage influence survival.

[Ocular lymphoma : Precise diagnostics and classification as key for successful personalized treatment]. / Lymphom am Auge : Präzise Diagnostik und Klassifikation als Schlüssel einer erfolgreichen personalisierten Therapie.

BACKGROUND: Personalized medicine is nowadays the standard of care for patients with oncological diseases. A prime example is the lymphoma, which has substantial points of contact with ophthalmological care due to the intraocular and periocular involvement. OBJECTIVE: This article provides a description of the current personalized diagnostics and treatment of ocular lymphomas. METHODS: This article constructs a relationship between the current knowledge in the literature, guidelines and recommendations and the clinical experience with ocular lymphomas. It explains in particular the molecular and also individual personalized treatment concepts. RESULTS: The primary suspicion of lymphatic or other ocular oncological diseases is raised by an ophthalmologist based on clinical symptoms. The exact diagnostic procedure is carried out with molecular biological techniques, such as immunohistology and polymerase chain reaction analyses. A staging of the mass is indispensable and the stage classification according to the Ann Arbor criteria for a correct assignment of the lymphoma is of clinical importance. Based on these precise diagnostics an individualized choice of treatment and subsequent personalized follow-up care are carried out. During the complete process from the diagnostic procedure to treatment and aftercare, psycho-oncological support should be offered to the patient. CONCLUSION: Personalized medicine is already actively performed in the care of ocular lymphomas. The patient is in the forefront and plays a decisive role. By considering the special features of the tumor and patient parameters, the life expectation and relapse-free interval as well as quality of life have been improved for many types of lymphoma. It must be assumed that these advantages also apply to ophthalmology.

[Alternative treatment options for periorbital basal cell carcinoma]. / Alternative Behandlungsoptionen beim Basalzellkarzinom am Auge.

BACKGROUND: Latest developments as well as established procedures offer alternative treatment approaches to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) when micrographically controlled surgical removal is not a valid option. OBJECTIVE: Alternative treatment options for periorbital BCC are presented. METHODS: A literature search was carried out and a structured display and analysis of the results are given. RESULTS: Micrographically controlled surgical removal represents the gold standard in treatment of BCC. When for various reasons surgical removal is not a valid option, other procedures are required. The alternative treatment options can be divided into three main groups: treatment options for locally advanced or metastasized BCC, topical approaches for small and superficial BCC and prophylactic measures. While radiotherapy and systemic therapy are suitable for locally advanced BCC and are discussed in a tumor board, small and superficial BCC can be treated by topical medication. In cases of a previous BCC history, a prophylactic treatment can be considered. Combinations of systemic treatment and also neoadjuvant or adjuvant approaches before and after surgery are promising options for a successful outcome, which can further improve the standard treatment for locally advanced BCC. CONCLUSION: Alternative treatment options for periocular BCC are available; however, the use is only indicated when microscopically controlled excision with subsequent oculoplastic reconstruction is not possible. According to the national guidelines a prior presentation to a suitable tumor board is practically compulsory.

An optical coherence tomography-based grading of diabetic maculopathy proposed by an international expert panel: The European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology classification.

AIMS: To present an authoritative, universal, easy-to-use morphologic classification of diabetic maculopathy based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: The first draft of the project was developed based on previously published classifications and a literature search regarding the spectral domain optical coherence tomography quantitative and qualitative features of diabetic maculopathy. This draft was sent to an international panel of retina experts for a first revision. The panel met at the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland, and elaborated the final document. RESULTS: Seven tomographic qualitative and quantitative features are taken into account and scored according to a grading protocol termed TCED-HFV, which includes foveal thickness (T), corresponding to either central subfoveal thickness or macular volume, intraretinal cysts (C), the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and/or external limiting membrane (ELM) status (E), presence of disorganization of the inner retinal layers (D), number of hyperreflective foci (H), subfoveal fluid (F), and vitreoretinal relationship (V). Four different stages of the disease, that is, early diabetic maculopathy, advanced diabetic maculopathy, severe diabetic maculopathy, and atrophic maculopathy, are based on the first four variables, namely the T, C, E, and D. The different stages reflect progressive severity of the disease. CONCLUSION: A novel grading system of diabetic maculopathy is hereby proposed. The classification is aimed at providing a simple, direct, objective tool to classify diabetic maculopathy (irrespective to the treatment status) even for non-retinal experts and can be used for therapeutic and prognostic purposes, as well as for correct evaluation and reproducibility of clinical investigations.

[Systems Biology in Ophthalmology - Innovative Drug Identification for the Specific Prevention of Postoperative Fibrosis]. / Systembiologie in der Ophthalmologie ­ innovative Wirkstoffidentifikation zur spezifischen Vermeidung postoperativer Fibrose.

BACKGROUND: The long-term success of fistulating therapies for the treatment of glaucoma is essentially limited by excessive scarring reactions (fibrosis). Cytostatic agents such as mitomycin C can prevent fibrosis, but are often associated with side effects. Specific antifibrotics are not currently in clinical use. Therefore, this study describes a systems biology approach using a dedicated bioinformatics technology platform, with which active substances can be identified and repositioned as antifibrotics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Differential gene expression data of human Tenon fibroblasts (hTF) were collected from untreated hTF and from hTF stimulated with TGF-ß1 ("fibrotic fibroblasts") by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and were used as the basis for the drug identification process. These data were filtered with the bioinformatic tool "FocusHeuristics". In comparison with the Connectivity Map database, antifibrotic agents were identified. The evaluation of a potentially promising drug as an antifibrotic was performed at hTF by indirect immunofluorescence in vitro. RESULTS: The analysis of the gene expression data led to the identification of several interaction networks of genes or proteins involved in fibrotic processes. One of these networks contains the cytokine bone morphogenic protein 6 (BMP6), interleukin 6 (IL6) and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1). Another relevant network has been identified around the cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) gene. The comparison of these data with those of the Connectivity Map allowed the identification of an inhibitory drug. Its evaluation in the fibrotic cell culture model in vitro using indirect immunofluorescence led to a significant reduction in the expression of the fibrotic marker proteins fibronectin and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), which confirmed the predicted antifibrotic effect. CONCLUSION: Systems biological approaches can be used for the identification of antifibrotic drug candidates for the prevention of postoperative fibrosis and should be transferable by the investigating differential gene expression data of further ocular cells or tissues to other ophthalmological fields of application.

Functional and morphological results of treatment of macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with pars plana vitrectomy and sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade.

BACKGROUND: To examine morphological and functional results after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas tamponade due to macula-on and macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) during 6 months of the follow-up. METHODS: The study included 62 eyes that underwent successful PPV with SF6 tamponade with macula-on (34 eyes) and macula-off (28 eyes) RRD preoperatively. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Amsler test, M-charts, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and microperimetry were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Results of the Amsler test were abnormal postoperatively in 54% of the patients in the group with macula-off and in 32% of the patients with macula-on RRD. Horizontal M-charts improved significantly from 0.33 to 0.2, vertical M-charts- from 0.29 to 0.17 during 6 months of the follow-up. There was a significant increase in the central retinal thickness (CRT) and average thickness (AT) between follow-up examinations only in the macula-off group. 29 of 62 eyes (47%) after surgery (equally with macula-on and macula-off RRD) showed morphological changes in OCT in the macular region, as epiretinal membrane, macular edema, subretinal fluid or alterations of the outer layers of the retina. The average threshold in microperimetry increased significantly within both groups during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both horizontal and vertical M-charts scores, as were as microperimetry sensitivity improved significantly during the 6 months of the follow-up both in macula-on and macula-off group. Although PPV with SF6 gas tamponade was successful, almost half of eyes revealed anatomical changes in the macular region in OCT both with macula-on and macula-off group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials NCT03902795 registered on 03/04/2019. Retrospectively registered.

Comparison of cytokine/chemokine levels in aqueous humor of primary open-angle glaucoma patients with positive or negative outcome following trabeculectomy.

We aimed to identify differences in cytokine/chemokine levels in the aqueous humor (AH) of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients who suffered from scarring, compared with POAG patients with no scarring after trabeculectomy surgery. Identification of differently expressed cytokines and chemokines may help to understand scarring and fibrotic processes following trabeculectomy, and to make predictions for the outcome of fistulating surgery in the future. Furthermore, the identification of cell signaling pathways involved in fibrosis offers the opportunity for a more specific antifibrotic therapy with reduced side effects, and an improvement in long-term surgical outcome.Eight samples of AH were collected during trabeculectomy surgery and commercially available cytokine/chemokine arrays were used. Specific, differently expressed proteins (cytokines/chemokines) in AH samples from patients with positive and negative surgery outcomes were detected. These proteins were classified based on their known profibrotic, inflammatory, adhesive, and apoptotic properties. Transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were among the most important profibrotic cytokines that we detected. Differences in the fold change of protein expression were highly significant between patients after successful and failed trabeculectomy surgery, and these were processed and visualized using ExprEssence software.This pilot study revealed differences in concentrations of cytokines/chemokines in AH between the two examined groups of patients. Our findings suggest that a positive outcome from trabeculectomy is strongly related to an inhibition of the fibrosis process.

Five-year follow-up of secondary iris-claw intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of aphakia: Anterior chamber versus retropupillary implantation.

BACKGROUND: Though several procedures of IOL implantation have been described (sutured scleral fixation, intra-scleral fixation, angle-supported anterior chamber, and anterior chamber or retropupillary iris-claw IOLs), there are no randomized trials which are comparing different techniques. Hence, the surgical treatment of aphakia still remains controversial and challenging. The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term efficacy and the rate of complications of anterior versus posterior Iris-claw intraocular lenses (IOL) implantation to correct for the treatment of aphakia without sufficient capsule support. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Consecutive eyes having secondary implantation of aphakic iris-fixated IOLs with a follow-up of at least 5 years were considered. Mean correct distance visual acuity (CDVA) changes, percentage of eyes with CDVA improvement, mean corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) loss and the rate of other complications were used for statistical analysis. The study evaluated a total of 180 eyes (Group A: 87 anterior chamber iris-claw fixation, Group B: 93 retropupillary iris-claw implantation) of 180 consecutive different patients, with aphakia of various reasons. CDVA improved significantly in both groups after surgery (P<0.001, ANOVA), and was remarkably higher than baseline in both groups from first week and during the entire follow-up (P<0.001, Tukey's Honest Significant Difference). There was no statistically significant difference in CDVA between the two groups during each follow-up visits (P = NS, unpaired t-test) and in the CDVA improvement percentage between the two groups (P = 0.882, Chi-square test). No significant changes in CECD were noted after surgery in both groups (ANOVA Group A: P = 0.067, Group B: P = 0.330P). No intra-operative complications occurred in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of complications between the two groups (P = NS, Chi-square test), except for pigment precipitates which were higher in Group A (P<0.05, Chi-square test). CONCLUSIONS: Five-year follow-up shows that secondary implantation of aphakic IOLs is effective and safe for the correction treatment of aphakia in eyes without capsule support.

Frontline Science: Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps prevent inflammation on the neutrophil-rich ocular surface.

Eye rheum is a physiological discharge, which accumulates at the medial angle of the healthy eye soon after opening in the morning. Microscopic evaluation of eye rheum revealed the presence of viable neutrophils, bacteria, epithelial cells, and particles, aggregated by neutrophil extracellular traps. We observed that in the evening, during eye closure, high C5a recruited neutrophils to the tear film and activated them. In this hypoxic area rich in CO2 , neutrophils fight microbial aggressors by degranulation. Immediately after eye opening, the microenvironment of the ocular surface changes, the milieu gets normoxic, and loss of CO2 induces subtle alkalinization of tear film. These conditions favored the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that initially covers the ocular surface and tend to aggregate by eyelid blinking. These aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (aggNETs) are known as eye rheum and contain several viable neutrophils, epithelial cells, dust particles, and crystals packed together by NETs. Similar to aggNETs induced by monosodium urate crystals, the eye rheum shows a robust proteolytic activity that degraded inflammatory mediators before clinically overt inflammation occur. Finally, the eye rheum passively floats with the tear flow to the medial angle of the eye for disposal. We conclude that the aggNETs-based eye rheum promotes cleaning of the ocular surface and ameliorates the inflammation on the neutrophil-rich ocular surfaces.

Examination of Kynurenine Toxicity on Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelium: In vitro and in vivo Studies.

Kynurenine (KYN) is a metabolite of tryptophan, proposed for the treatment of corneal diseases. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of KYN on normal human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells in vitro and the re-epithelization of corneal erosion in rabbits. In our study, we used corneal (10.014 pRSV-T) and conjunctival (HC0597) epithelium cell cultures. KYN was applied at a concentration range of 1-100 µM for 24 and 48 h. We examined the effects on cellular metabolism, viability, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-10 secretion, cytoskeleton organization and transwell migration ability. Following a bilateral corneal de-epithelialization, the rabbits received drops containing 1% KYN and a saline solution to the contralateral control eye, 5 times daily. Digital images were analyzed using the EPCO 2000 software. The metabolic activity of cells was slightly decreased by KYN in the corneal but not in the conjunctival epithelium. The viability of both epithelia was improved by KYN; it caused alterations in the secretion of IL-6 and IL-10 but not IL-1ß. It had no impact on both epithelia morphology and the organization of the cellular cytoskeleton. KYN stimulated the formation of pseudopodia projections in both epithelia in vitro, which may be important in terms of wound healing. However, there were no differences in the re-epithelization rate in vivo. At the tested concentrations, KYN was not toxic for the corneal and the conjunctival epithelium in vitro and did not affect corneal re-epithelization in rabbits in vivo. Our results suggest that KYN may be taken into consideration for the treatment of ocular disorders.