Vitreoretinal Lymphoma versus Uveitis: Cytokine Profile and Correlations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the cytokine spectrum of vitreoretinal lymphoma to uveitis and correlate cytokine concentrations with disease activity. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 10 patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma and 7 patients with uveitis. Aqueous humor concentration of IFN-γ, TNF-α, TNF-β, IL-1ra, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, MCP-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and VEGF-A was determined using a bead-based assay (Luminex). Variance between groups, correlation coefficients, and longitudinal behavior of cytokines were analyzed. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in cytokines was found when comparing groups. IL-10 was positively correlated with IL-6 and MCP-1. IL-6 was positively correlated with G-CSF, IL-1ra, IL-8, and IL-10. A relationship between concentration of any cytokine, aside from IL-10, and disease activity was not found. CONCLUSION: IL-10 and IL-6 are good immunologic markers to be used as complementary diagnostic tools. IL-10 is the only IL that could be used for monitoring purposes.