Cytokine and CXC chemokine expression patterns in aqueous humor of patients with presumed tuberculous uveitis

Aqueous humor (AH) samples from 14 patients with presumed tuberculous uveitis (PTU), and 30 control patients were assayed for the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin IL-4, IL-12, IL-15, IL-17, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, and the chemokines GRO-alpha/CXCL1, IL-8/CXCL8, MIG/CXCL9, IP-10/CXCL10 and SDF-1/CXCL12 with the use of a multiplex assay. Among cytokines, IL-4 and IL-12 were not detected. IL-15, IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels in AH were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.001; p = 0.004; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). Among chemokines, SDF-1 levels did not differ significantly between patients and controls, whereas GRO-alpha, IL-8, MIG and IP-10 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). Mean GRO-alpha levels in AH of PTU patients were 6-fold higher than IL-8 levels and mean IP-10 levels were 15-fold higher than MIG levels. Clinical disease activity correlated significantly with the levels of IL-15, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IF-10. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between PTU and high levels of IFN-gamma, IL-8, MIG and IP-10. These data suggest that both T helper (Th) Th-1 and Th-17 cells are involved in PTU and that the cytokine profile is polarized toward a Th-1 response. GRO-alpha and IP-10 might be involved in neutrophil and activated T lymphocyte chemoattraction in PTU, respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.