UNASSIGNED: To explore the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in the aqueous humor of patients with Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS), and the association between MMP-3 and PSS.
UNASSIGNED: Peripheral blood and aqueous humor were routinely collected from 29 patients with PSS (PSS group) and 30 patients with age-related-cataract (ARC) (control group). The content of MMP-3 in serum and aqueous humor was measured by immunoturbidimetry. The correlation between MMP-3 and ophthalmic examination results were verified by Spearman\'s correlation analysis.
UNASSIGNED: The MMP-3 level in the aqueous humor of the PSS group was (25.86 ± 13.4)ng/ml, significantly higher than that in the control group (3.9 ± 2.7)ng/ml(p < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in serum MMP-3 level between the two groups (p = 0.125). The endothelial cell density (ECD) in the aqueous humor of the PSS group was (2078 ± 440) cell/mm2, intraocular pressure (IOP) in the aqueous humor of the PSS group was (33 ± 12) mmHg. The correlation analysis of aqueous humor MMP-3 and various ophthalmic examination results showed that aqueous humor MMP-3 had a moderate correlation with IOP and the difference in ECD between the affected eye and the fellow eye.
UNASSIGNED: MMP-3 level is elevated in the aqueous humor of PSS patients, and it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PSS.

UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) efficacy and response variability in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using longitudinal proteomic and metabolomic analysis alongside three-dimensional lesion measurements.
UNASSIGNED: In this prospective study, 54 treatment-naive patients with nAMD underwent \"3+ pro re nata\" (3+PRN) anti-VEGF regimens followed for at least 12 weeks. Aqueous humors were collected pre- and post-treatment for proteomic and metabolomic analysis. Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography assessed different types of nAMD lesion volumes and areas.
UNASSIGNED: There were 1350 proteins and 1268 metabolites that were identified in aqueous humors, with 301 proteins and 353 metabolites significantly altered during anti-VEGF treatment, enriched in pathways of angiogenesis, energy metabolism, signal transduction, and neurofunctional regulation. Sixty-seven changes of (Δ) molecules significantly correlated with at least one type of ΔnAMD lesion. Notably, proteins FGA, TALDO1, and ASPH significantly decreased during treatment, with their reductions correlating with greater lesion regression in at least two lesion types. Conversely, despite that YIPF3 also showed significant downregulation, its decrease was associated with poorer regression in total nAMD lesion and subretinal hyper-reflective material.
UNASSIGNED: This study identifies FGA, TALDO1, and ASPH as potential key molecules in the efficacy of anti-VEGF therapy, whereas YIPF3 may be a key factor in poor response. The integration of longitudinal three-dimensional lesion analysis with multi-omics provides valuable insights into the mechanisms and response variability of anti-VEGF treatment in nAMD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate aqueous humor cytokine levels in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with subretinal fibrosis and to explore the relationship between cytokine levels and disease severity.
METHODS: The aqueous humor samples were collected from 16 eyes with subretinal fibrosis due to nAMD (SRFi group), 33 eyes with nAMD without subretinal fibrosis (nAMD group) and 28 eyes with cataract patients (control group). Clinical samples were analyzed for 5 cytokines,including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).
RESULTS: Aqueous humor cytokines VEGF and bFGF were significantly higher in nAMD patients than controls (all P < 0.05), and VEGF, bFGF and TGF-α levels were significantly higher in SRFi patients than controls (all P < 0.05). No significant differences in 4 cytokine levels were observed between nAMD and SRFi patients in aqueous humor. We also identified a positive correlation between the aqueous humor levels of IL-6 and VEGF in the SRFi group, while bFGF and TGF-α in the nAMD group. Moreover, VEGF levels were strongly related to BCVA, and bFGF levels were positively related to the maximum thickness of subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) in fibrosis due to nAMD.
CONCLUSIONS: VEGF and bFGF levels in aqueous humor were elevated in macular neovascularization with and without subretinal fibrosis. TGF-α levels exclusively differed in neovascular AMD with fibrosis. Cytokines are distributed differently and play a synergistic role in different stages (angiogenesis and fibrogenesis) of nAMD. The bFGF levels could predict the negative prognosis in fibrosis due to nAMD.

We examined the lipid profiles in the aqueous humor (AH) of myopic patients to identify differences and investigate the relationships among dissertating lipids. Additionally, we assessed spherical equivalents and axial lengths to explore the pathogenesis of myopia. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the lipid composition of samples from myopic patients with axial lengths <26 mm (Group A) and >28 mm (Group B). Differences in lipid profiles between the two groups were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify discriminating lipids. Spearman correlation analysis explored the associations between lipid concentrations and biometric parameters. Three hundred and nine lipids across 21 lipid classes have been identified in this study. Five lipids showed significant differences between Group B and Group A (VIP > 1, P < 0.05): BMP (20:3/22:3), PG (22:1/24:0), PS (14:1/22:4), TG (44:2)_FA18:2, and TG (55:3)_FA18:1. The area under the curve (AUC) for these lipids was >0.75. Notably, the concentrations of BMP (20:3/22:3), PS (14:1/22:4), and TG (55:3)_FA18:1 were correlated with spherical equivalents, while BMP (20:3/22:3) and PS (14:1/22:4) correlated with axial lengths. Our study identified five differential lipids in myopic patients, with three showing significant correlations with the degree of myopia. These findings enhance our understanding of myopia pathogenesis through lipidomic alterations, emphasizing changes in cell membrane composition and function, energy metabolism and storage, and pathways involving inflammation, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), and metabolic processes related to phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, triglycerides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol.

UNASSIGNED: To investigate the profiles and correlations between local and systemic inflammatory molecules in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
UNASSIGNED: The paired samples of aqueous humor and serum were collected from 36 eyes of 36 typical patients with RP and 25 eyes of age-matched patients with cataracts. The concentration of cytokines/chemokines was evaluated by a multiplexed immunoarray (Q-Plex). The correlations between ocular and serum inflammatory molecules and their association with visual function were analyzed.
UNASSIGNED: The aqueous levels of IL-6, Eotaxin, GROα, I-309, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-2, RANTES, and TARC were significantly elevated in patients with RP compared to controls (all P < 0.05). The detection rate of aqueous IL-23 was higher in patients with RP (27.8%) compared with controls (0%). In patients with RP, Spearman correlation test demonstrated positive correlations for IL-23, I-309, IL-8, and RANTES between aqueous and serum expression levels (IL-23: ⍴ = 0.8604, P < 0.0001; I-309: ρ = 0.4172, P = 0.0113; IL-8: ρ = 0.3325, P = 0.0476; RANTES: ρ = 0.6685, P < 0.0001). In addition, higher aqueous IL-23 was associated with faster visual acuity loss in 10 patients with RP with detected aqueous IL-23 (ρ = 0.4119 and P = 0.0264). Multiple factor analysis confirmed that aqueous and serum IL-23 were associated with visual acuity loss in patients with RP.
UNASSIGNED: These findings suggest that ocular and systemic inflammatory responses have a close interaction in patients with RP. Further longitudinal studies with larger cohorts are needed to explore the correlation between specific inflammatory pathways and the progression of RP.
UNASSIGNED: This study demonstrates the local-systemic interaction of immune responses in patients with RP.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels and the clinical characteristics in patients with vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL).
METHODS: Retrospective observational case series.
METHODS: Forty-one patients were diagnosed as VRL and underwent lumbar puncture for CSF examination. Aqueous humor cytokine detection, vitreous cytopathologic analysis, monoclonal gene rearrangement, and flow cytometry were performed. The CSF was assessed through biochemical and cytologic examination, flow cytometry, and cytokine detection.
RESULTS: The median levels of aqueous humor IL-10 and IL-6 were 415.0 and 40.7 pg/mL. The median CSF levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were 35.7 and 3.5 pg/mL, respectively. IL-10 levels in CSF were higher than normal in 37 patients (90.2%) and higher in patients with intracranial lesions. The level of CSF IL-10 decreased after systemic treatment, and it rose before intracranial lesion onset or recurrence. The level of IL-10 in CSF was related to the duration of ocular symptoms, but was not related to the level of IL-10 in aqueous humor. There was no significant difference in CSF IL-10 levels between patients with and without anterior chamber inflammation or retinal lesions. In eyes with recurrent vitreoretinal lymphoma, the level of IL-10 in aqueous humor increased significantly, but there was no corresponding increase in the level of IL-10 in CSF.
CONCLUSIONS: CSF IL-10 is a potentially important biomarker in VRL, especially in the monitoring of intracranial lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the extracellular vesicle protein cargo in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis.
METHODS: Aqueous humor and plasma were collected from six patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis and six patients with cataract. Extracellular vesicles were isolated, and western blotting and mass spectrometry were performed for protein analysis.
RESULTS: All plasma samples from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract were positive for the tetraspanins CD63 and TSG101. However, the aqueous humor from patients with ocular toxoplasmosis was positive only for CD63. Sixty-seven new unreported proteins were identified in the aqueous humor and plasma of patients with the ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract. Of the 67 proteins, 10 and 7 were found only in the cataract and ocular toxoplasmosis groups, respectively. In general, these proteins were involved in immune system activation and retina homeostasis and were related to infections and retina-associated diseases.
CONCLUSIONS: The distinct protein signatures between ocular toxoplasmosis and cataract may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis. However, more studies are needed to better understand the role of these proteins in the pathogenesis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

The impact of viral keratitis (VK) on individuals and society is notable. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing viral keratitis effectively. Timely intervention with antiviral medications and supportive care can help mitigate the severity of the infection and improve visual outcomes. We examined the prevalence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), adenovirus (AdV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in patients suspected for ocular infections. Patients included in the study exhibited various clinical manifestations indicative of ocular pathology, such as infectious keratitis, corneal scar, endogenous endophthalmitis, panuveitis, endothelitis, stromal edema, and other relevant conditions. Four different types of tear fluid, corneal samples epithelium, aqueous humor and vitreous humor were taken. After genome extraction, multiplex real-time PCR was used for diagnosis of viruses. 48 (29.6%) out of the total of 162 (100%) eye specimen were positive. The dominant prevalence was VZV (12.3%) and HSV-1 (11.7%) followed by AdV (4.9%) and HSV-2 (0.6%). There were 4 (8.3%) coinfections within the samples (HSV-1 and VZV). Aqueous humor samples demonstrated superior virus detection ability and our only HSV-2 positive sample was from aqueous humor. The utilization of multiplex real-time PCR assays in differential diagnosis of VK holds promise for expeditious diagnoses while also preventing unwarranted antibiotic prescriptions. Moreover, the aqueous humor appears to be a more sensitive site for detecting viral keratitis.

Antioxidant therapies are of interest in the prevention and management of ocular disorders such as cataracts. Although an active area of interest, topical therapy with antioxidants for the treatment of cataracts is complicated by multiple ocular anatomical barriers, product stability, and solubility. Entrapment and delivery of antioxidants with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles is a possible solution to these challenges, however, little is known regarding their effects in vitro or in vivo. Our first aim was to investigate the impact of blank and lutein loaded PLGA nanoparticles on viability and development of reactive oxygen species in lens epithelial cells in vitro. Photo-oxidative stress was induced by ultraviolet light exposure with cell viability and reactive oxygen species monitored. Next, an in vivo, selenite model was utilized to induce cataract formation in rodents. Eyes were treated topically with both free lutein and lutein loaded nanoparticles (LNP) at varying concentrations. Eyes were monitored for the development of anterior segment changes and cataract formation. The ability of nanodelivered lutein to reach the anterior segment of the eye was evaluated by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry of aqueous humor samples and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (targeted LC-MS/MS) of lenses. LNP had a minimal impact on the viability of lens epithelial cells during the short exposure timeframe (24 h) and at concentrations < 0.2 μg LNP/μl. A significant reduction in the development of reactive oxygen species was also noted. Animals treated with LNPs at an equivalent lutein concentration of 1,278 μg /mL showed the greatest reduction in cataract scores. Lutein delivery to the anterior segment was confirmed through evaluation of aqueous humor and lens sample evaluation. Topical treatment was not associated with the development of secondary keratitis or anterior uveitis when applied once daily for one week. LNPs may be an effective in the treatment of cataracts.

UNASSIGNED: To compare the macular area parameters and aqueous humor factors between myopia and emmetropia.
UNASSIGNED: Convenience sampling was used to select patients who visited the Changzhi Aier Eye Hospital\'s department of ophthalmology from December 2018 to December 2022 as the study participants. They were divided into three groups according to whether they were diagnosed as mild myopia myopic, highly myopic or not as follows: the mild myopia group (60 cases, 108 eyes), the high myopia group (46 cases, 78 eyes) and the healthy emmetropia group (40 cases, 65 eyes). The differences in the macular integrity (MI) assessment, optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography parameters and aqueous humor factors were compared between the three groups.
UNASSIGNED: AL in high myopia group was the highest, and that in emmetropia group was the lowest. The BCVA of mild myopia group was the highest. The RS in the high myopia group were significantly lowest in the three groups (26.42 ± 1.04 vs. 28.34 ± 0.76 vs. 31.92 ± 0.77) (F = 5.374, p = 0.013). The 63% BCEA, 95% BCEA and MI in the high myopia group were significantly highest (p < 0.05). The mean RPE thickness, mean CT and mean RT in the high myopia group were lowest (p < 0.05). The blood flow density were lowest in the superficial fovea, paracentral fovea and different subdivisions of the paracentral fovea in the high myopia group (p < 0.05). The VEGF concentration in the aqueous humor of the high myopia group was lowest (25.62 ± 17.43 vs. 32.45 ± 24.67 vs. 64.37 ± 21.14) (F = 9.237, p < 0.001). The MMP-2 concentration was highest (483 ± 201.48 vs. 410 ± 142.37 vs. 386 ± 154.34) (F = 5.542, p = 0.018). The VEGF concentration in the aqueous humor factor was negatively correlated with the AL in the myopia group (r = -0.438, p = 0.002), the MMP-2 concentration was positively correlated with the AL (r = 0.484, p = 0.010).
UNASSIGNED: Patients with high myopia showed decreased retinal light sensitivity, fixation stability, superficial blood flow density and retinal thickness compared with people with emmetropia. A decreased VEGF concentration and increased MMP-2 concentration in the aqueous humor factor have potential associations with the development of high myopia.