Expression of platelet-derived growth factor-C in aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of platelet-derived growth factor-C in aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor.

Methods: This study involved 62 eyes of 62 patients with advanced neovascular glaucoma requiring transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Aqueous humor was collected through paracentesis. Samples from 11 eyes of 11 patients with age-related cataract were collected as control. Concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-C and vascular endothelial growth factor in aqueous humor were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Meanwhile, the correlations between the concentrations of platelet-derived growth factor-C and vascular endothelial growth factor were analyzed. The elements including retinal photocoagulation treatment, iris neovascularization grade, and primary fundus disease were also studied to find out their roles in the concentrations of the two factors.

Results: The vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-C concentrations in aqueous humor from controls were (679.54 ± 49.81) pg/mL and (18.60 ± 1.85) pg/mL, respectively. Both of them were significantly lower than neovascular glaucoma patients ( < 0.001). The vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-C concentrations of neovascular glaucoma patients treated with retinal photocoagulation were (1095.99 ± 52.71) pg/mL and (28.55 ± 0.94) pg/mL, respectively, which were both significantly lower than those of untreated neovascular glaucoma patients, (1146.28 ± 69.57) pg/mL and (30.04 ± 1.64) pg/mL ( = 0.008,  = 0.034). There was a weak correlation between the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-C in aqueous humor with neovascular glaucoma ( = 0.346,  = 0.006). However, iris neovascularization grade and primary fundus disease were not significant elements in the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-C.

Conclusion: Higher concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor-C were found in aqueous humor of patients with neovascular glaucoma compared with control, which could be lowered by retinal photocoagulation to some extent. Platelet-derived growth factor-C inhibitors may be another potential target for ocular neovascular diseases.