Retinal macrophages and (or) microglial cells play important roles in regulating inflammation, angiogenesis and tissue repairing, thus affect the development and prognosis of ischemic retinal disease, ocular immune diseases and ocular tumors. Reversing the polarization imbalance of these cells may provide new therapeutic strategies for ischemic retinal disease and ocular immune diseases. The duality of the polarization direction of these cells is still controversial in the inflammatory reaction and pathological angiogenesis of ischemic retinal disease. Meanwhile, the plasticity and diversity of the function need to be further studied and discussed.
Ras homolog family (Rho)/ Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway widely exists in human and mammal cells, which is closely related to inhibition of repair after optic nerve damage. The expression level of Rho/ROCK signaling pathway-related proteins is up-regulated in glaucoma, and related with the death of retinal ganglionic cell (RGC) and the axon activity. ROCK inhibitors can protect the surviving RGC and promote axon extension with a dose-dependent manner. ROCK inhibitors also can inhibit glial scar formation, lower intraocular pressure and inhibit inflammatory response to some degrees. Rho/ROCK signaling pathway correlates with the optic nerve disease progression, and ROCK inhibitors hope to become a new therapeutic drug.
Purpose To investigate the expression of the interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-alpha;) in epiretinal membranes(ERM) of eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR). Methods Nineteen epiretinal membranes were obtained form eyes undergoing vitrectomy for retinal detachment complicated with PVR and observed by immunohistochemical methods. Results Expression of IL-6 and TNF-alpha; were observed in 12 and 15 membranes respectively with positive staining mostly in extracellular matrix of epiretinal membranes.Only one membrane showed positive to IL-6 intracellularly,and expression for IL-6 and TNF-alpha; simultaneously in membranes. Conclusion The findings indicate that IL-6、and TNF-alpha;might be involved in the development of PVR. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1998,14:219-221)
Hypertensive retinopathy (HR) often coexist with carotid lesions in hypertensive patients. Carotid lesions are closely associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as end events, offering early important evidence to screening high risk patients. HR has significant value to predict target organ damage (TOD) of hypertension including carotid lesion. In addition, hypertensive retinopathy and carotid lesions-related ischemic ocular diseases will cause serious vision function damage. This article is going to summarize the value and correlation between hypertensive retinopathy and carotid lesions in terms of clinical manifestations, pathological physiological mechanism and target organ damage.
ObjectiveTo observe the neuro-ophthalmological features of intracranial aneurysm. Methods169 patients with intracranial aneurysm were retrospectively studied. 45 patients, including 18 men and 27 women, had neuro-ophthalmological symptoms or signs. Their average age was (56.21±16.11) years and 32 (71.11%)patients' age was more than 50 years. The onset time ranged from 30 minutes to 20 years. 20 (44.44%) patients' onset time was among 24 hours. CT, CT angiography, MRI, MRI angiography and cerebral digital subtraction angiography were performed alone or combined in all 45 patients. Visual acuity, pupil reflex and eye movement were examined. Clinical data including general condition, initial symptoms, neuro-ophthalmological changes, imaging data and treatment effects were recorded. Results26.63% of the 169 patients had neuro-ophthalmological symptoms or signs. There were 6 patients (13.33%) with neuro-ophthalmological changes as their first manifestation and 39 patients (86.67%) with neurologic changes as first manifestation. Neuro-ophthalmological symptoms included vision loss (10 patients, 22.22%), diplopia (4 patients, 8.89%) and ocular pain (2 patients, 4.44%). The most common neuro-ophthalmological sign was pupil abnormality which was found in 31 patients (68.89%). The second most common sign was eye movement disorder (16 patients, 35.56%).The other signs included ptosis (8 patients, 17.78%), nystagmus (2 patients, 4.44%), exophthalmos (1 patient, 2.22%) and disappeared corneal reflection (1 patient, 2.22%). Imaging examination indicated that intracranial hemorrhage happened in 29 patients (64.44%). The most common neuro-ophthalmological features were pupil abnormality, eye movement disorder and vision loss in both patients with or without intracranial hemorrhage. The incidence of pupil abnormality was higher in patients with intracranial hemorrhage than that without intracranial hemorrhage, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=7.321, P=0.007). Pupil abnormality and vision loss were common in patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm, and eye movement disorder was common in patients with internal carotid artery aneurysm and posterior communicating aneurysms. ConclusionsPatients with intracranial aneurysm have different neuro-ophthalmological features. The most common features are pupil abnormality, eye movement disorder and vision loss.
ObjectiveTo observe the concentration of plasma endothelin (ET-1) in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy(NAION) and investigate the relationship between ET-1 and NAION.MethodsThe plasma levels of ET-1 in 41 patients with NAION and 15 age-matched normal control subjects were measured by radioimmuoassay (RIA). The patients with NAION were divided into high papilloedema group, light papilloedema group, and recovery group according to the degree of papilloedema; and were divided into group1 (within 14 days), 2 (within 15-30 days), 3 (within 31-60 days), and 4 (within 61-180 days) according to the disease course. The plasma levels of ET-1 in different groups were detected and compared.ResultsThe plasma level of ET-1 in patients with NAION was significantly higher than that in the normal subjects (t=5.02，P＜0.05）and there was no obvious difference in NAION patients with different genders.There were significant differences of the plasma level among the groups with different degree of papilloedema（F=4.65，P＜0.05）. ET-1 plasma level gradually decreased as the disease course increased, and there were significant differences among the groups with different disease course（F=4.29，P＜0.05）. The difference of plasma level of ET-1 between Group 13 with corresponding disease courses and the control group was significant respectively(t1=5.92，t2=3.47，t3=2.18， P1lt;0.01, P2lt;0.05, P3lt;0.05)ConclusionThe plasma level of ET-1 in patients with NAION may be related to the degree of papilloedema lesion and disease courses. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:156-158)
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristic of ocular fundus complications in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods In 25 cases of SLE with the ocular fundus complications, the ocular fundus, the other ocular tissues, general lesions，and antinuclear antibody (ANA ), anti-double-stranded DNA（anti-dsDNA）, complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) were analyzed retrospectively. Results In the 25 cases, “classic” SLE retinopathy in 15 (25 eyes), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in 9 (12 eyes), RVO combined with retinal arter y occlusion in 1 (2 eyes), exudative retinal detachment in 1 (2 eyes), vitreous hemorrhage combined with neovascular glaucoma in 1 (1 eye), and optic discedem a except RVO in 3 (6 eyes) were found. Nine cases accompanied with other ocular signs and 21 with general lesions. Positive ANA and anti-dsDNA and elevated ESR in all of the patients, decreasing C3 in 19, and C4in 17 were found.Conclusions SLE can cause serious ocular fundus complications accompanied with other ocular signs. Regular ophthalmic examination should be performed on the patients with SLE to detect and treat the ocular complications promptly. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：206-208)
ObjectiveTo identify mutations in NDP, FZD4, LRP5, TSPAN12 in Chinese families with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and observe the clinical features.MethodsRetrospective case series study. The 9 patients (18 eyes) and 5 normal members from 4 unrelated families were included in the study. The patients medical history and family history were collected in detail. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus colorized photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Genomic DNA were collected from all the patients. Mutations were detected by directly sequencing to the whole coding region and exon-intron boundaries of NDP, FZD4, LRP5 and TSPAN12 gene. Polyphen and SIFT programs were used to predict the effects on the structure and functional properties of mutant protein.ResultsThere were two affected individuals in the family 2 carried LRP5 gene mutation [c.1330C＞T (p.R444C )] in exon 6 by sequence analysis. A score of 0.882 was acquired by Polyphen program analysis. And the missense change was predicted to be pathogenic by SIFT. Fundus changes of the proband showed angioplasia, tortuosity of peripheral vessels. And temporal dragging of the optic disc, peripheral avascular zone, neovascularization were found in FFA. Brush-like and straight of peripheral vessels were found in Ⅰ1. No variant was found in NDP, FZD4 and TSPAN12 gene.ConclusionOur study supports the gene mutation c.1330C＞T (p.R444C) of LRP5 is pathogenesis of FEVR. Patients with the same mutation could have variable phenotypic characteristics.
The clinical manifestations of infectious retinal diseases are complicated, especially these result from serious infectious diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), tuberculosis and syphilis infections. It is an important issue to differentiate infectious retinal disease from noninfectious intraocular inflammation in the clinic. It is, therefore, highly desirable to follow a proper steps to reach the correct diagnosis. Complete history review and comprehensive ocular examination remains the first step in diagnosing infectious retinal diseases. Although an array of laboratory and serological tests are available to assist in the diagnosis, some situations may require a diagnostic therapy or a tissue biopsy. Identification of the pathogen and histopathologic examination of the ocular specimen remain to be the gold standard of diagnosis. Initiation a specific and appropriate antimicrobial therapy needs multidisciplinary collaborations including ophthalmologists and infectious specialists. Updated knowledge of general medicine and management of infectious diseases, interdisciplinary collaborations and optimization of treatment processes will improve the diagnosis and treatment of retinal infectious diseases in the future.
Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is one of the exudative maculopathy, which is characterized by retinal pigment epithelium detachment, subretinal hemorrhages and sensory retinal detachment. The prevalence of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) reached 33.5% in neovascular age related macular degeneration (AMD) for Chinese population. Indocyanine green angiography showed a single or multiple focal nodular areas of hyperfluorescence arising from the choroidal circulation and currently is recognized a gold standard for diagnosis of PCV. The histopathologic findings indicated that hyalinization of choroidal vessels, like arteriosclerosis. Up to now there is no reliable evidence to demonstrate the difference in genetic study. The study of environment factor showed hypertension is associated with PCV closely than with AMD. PCV and AMD is different genotype or different phenotype as well as difference in pathogenesis need further studies.