Serum inflammatory factors in patients with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization.

Objective: To investigate serum inflammatory factors in patients with idiopathic choroidal vascularization (CNV), including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Interleukin1-beta (IL1-β), IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, 50% hemolytic unit of complement (CH50), complement C3, complement C4 and C reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: 21 patients and 20 normal individuals were recruited. They received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Serous concentrations of VEGF, TNFα, IL1-β were assayed by ELISA, and the concentrations of other serum factor were assayed by immunonephelometry.

Results: The mean serum VEGF level in the CNV group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p=0.025). The median level of IgE in the CNV group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p=0.006). Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the levels of TNFα, IL1-β, IgG, IgA, IgM, CH50, C3, C4 or CRP between the two groups.

Conclusion: The possible roles of these factors and mechanisms of idiopathic CNV formation were analyzed. Serum VEGF and IgE levels may play an important role in the formation of idiopathic CNV.