Invest Ophthalmol Vis SciMay 20251 citations

Aqueous Humor Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients With Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits.

Yoon Eun Gyu, Nam Ki Tae, Choi Mihyun, Choi Kwang-Eon, Yun Cheolmin

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.5.10

AI Summary

This study found dry AMD eyes with subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) have higher aqueous VEGF-A, correlating with drusen volume, suggesting increased angiogenic potential and risk for wet AMD.

Abstract

Purpose

We sought to investigate aqueous humor levels of growth factors and cytokines related to human angiogenesis in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

This prospective study classified patients with dry AMD into two groups of patients-those with soft drusen and those with both soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs). Aqueous humor samples were collected from each group and from a control group to analyze intraocular cytokine concentrations and examine their associations with AMD characteristics.

Results

A total of 48 participants, 16 per group, were enrolled in the study. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A level was highest in the soft drusen with SDD group (229.21 ± 88.26 pg/mL) compared to the soft drusen group (167.54 ± 92.71 pg/mL) and the control group (140.73 ± 84.91 pg/mL) (P = 0.021). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of angiopoietin-2, placental growth factor, interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, or tumor necrosis factor-α among the groups (all P > 0.05). In the soft drusen with SDD group, a higher cube root of drusen volume (β = 0.533, P = 0.033) was significantly associated with an elevated VEGF-A level.

Conclusions

In eyes with dry AMD, those with both soft drusen and SDDs exhibited higher intraocular VEGF-A levels than those with only soft drusen, and these levels correlated with the cube root of drusen volume.

MeSH Terms

HumansAqueous HumorFemaleMaleRetinal DrusenVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AProspective StudiesAgedAged, 80 and overGeographic AtrophyTomography, Optical CoherenceMiddle AgedCytokinesFluorescein Angiography

Shields Classification

Ch. 1Cellular and Molecular Biology of Aqueous Humor Dynamics

Ch. 4Optic Nerve, Retina, and Choroid

Ch. 19Glaucomas Associated with Disorders of the Retina, Vitreous, and Choroid

Key Concepts3

Aqueous humor levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A were highest in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) having both soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs) (229.21 ± 88.26 pg/mL) compared to those with only soft drusen (167.54 ± 92.71 pg/mL) and a control group (140.73 ± 84.91 pg/mL) (P = 0.021).

PrognosisCohortProspective Cohort Studyn=48 participants (16 per group)Ch19

In patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) having both soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs), a higher cube root of drusen volume (β = 0.533, P = 0.033) was significantly associated with an elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A level.

PrognosisCohortProspective Cohort Studyn=16 patients in the soft drusen with S…Ch19

There were no significant differences in the concentrations of angiopoietin-2, placental growth factor, interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, or tumor necrosis factor-α among patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with soft drusen, those with soft drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDDs), and a control group (all P > 0.05).