Fahmy IA, Amer AK, EL-Ghaffar NA. The Role of T-Cell subsets and Natural Killer Lymphocytes in the Pathogenesis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. Maced J Med Sci. 2010;3(3):307-313. doi.10.3889/MJMS.1957-5773.2010.0115. [Eng Abstract]

Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences [International Peer Reviewed]

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Abstract [Full-Text PDF] [Macedonian Abstract] [OnlineFirst Full-Text PDF]

Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2010 Sep 15; 3(3):307-313.

doi:10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2010.0115

Clinical Science

The Role of T-Cell subsets and Natural Killer Lymphocytes in the Pathogenesis of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Iman A. Fahmy¹, Azza K. Amer² and Nagwa Abd EL-Ghaffar²

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt; ²Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt

Background. The aim of the work is to emphasize the role of lymphocyte subsets; T-helper (Th), T-cytotoxic/suppressor (Tc/s) and natural killer (NK) and their secreted cytokines found in the peripheral blood of patients suffering from glaucoma; primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in an attempt to find out the possible change met within such patients.

Subjects and Methods. This study included 36 patients diagnosed as glaucoma of different etiologies including both intra ocular pressure (IOP) dependant glaucoma (19 patients) and IOP independent glaucoma (17 patients) and compared to 20 healthy subjects of matched age and sex as reference subjects. Lymphocyte subsets (Th, Tc/s & NK) were analyzed in the peripheral blood of POAG and NTG cases and reference subjects by flow cytometry and the results were expressed as percentage of lymphocytes that express (CD4+, CD8+ and CD16+56+). The cytokines; interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were analyzed in the serum of POAG and NTG patients and reference subjects using ELISA technique.

Results. The results of this study revealed a significant increase of the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells, significant decrease in CD4+/CD8+ ratio in both POAG and NTG patients when compared to reference subjects. There was significant increase in the mean serum level of IL-10 in POAG and NTG patients when compared to reference subjects.

Conclusion. This results support the hypothesis that the delicate intraocular balance of Th1/Th2 immune response, with the predominance of Th2, breaks down in glaucoma.

Key words: Glaucoma; T-helper; T-cytotoxic/suppressor; natural killer; cytokines.

Publication of the MJMS is supported by the Macedonian Ministry of Education and Sciences. Publisher: Institute of Immunobiology and Human Genetics, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
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