Inflammatory and Angiogenic Factors in the Aqueous Humor and the Relationship to Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Elevation of MCP-1, IP-10, and IL-8 levels in eyes with severe NPDR suggests that inflammatory change precedes the development of neovascularization in PDR. The positive correlation between the aqueous levels of IL-6 and macular thickness indicates that IL-6 may play a central role in the development of diabetic macular edema.