Alteration of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in aqueous humor is associated with secondary glaucoma in Fuchs uveitis syndrome

Purpose: To analyze changes in concentrations of pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, or metalloproteinases (MMP) in the aqueous humor (AH) in Fuchs uveitis syndrome (FUS) patients with (FUSwG) or without (FUSwoG) secondary glaucoma. Methods: AH samples were collected from 43 eyes of Caucasian subjects (FUSwoG: n = 11; FUSwG: n = 8; control eyes: n = 24). Concentrations of IL-8, MCP-1, MMP-1,-2,-3,-9, SAA, TGF ss-1,-2,-3, and TNF-alpha were measured by multiplex bead assay analysis. Results: Compared with the control group, levels of IL-8, MCP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in the AH were significantly increased in FUSwG and FUSwoG patients. In contrast to FUSwoG patients, MCP-1 and MMP-9 level were lower in FUSwG, while expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, and TGF beta-1 was increased. Conclusion: In our experiments, glaucoma in FUS patients was associated with low levels of MCP-1 and MMP-9 in the AH, while expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, and TGF beta-1 increased. The alteration in these molecular patterns may contribute to the development of glaucoma in FUS.