Transforming Growth Factor-β Levels in Human Aqueous Humor of Glaucomatous, Diabetic and Uveitic Eyes

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor-β(2) is known to be present at elevated levels in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and diabetes but not in uveitis-related secondary glaucoma. We investigated total TGF-β(2) levels and levels of the active form of TGF-β(2) in the aqueous humor of eyes with different types of glaucoma. METHODS: The concentration of the total and active form of TGF-β(2) was measured in 63 patients with primary open angle glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma complicated with diabetes (NVG), and secondary open angle glaucoma complicated with uveitis (SOAG) using a double antibody 'sandwich-indirect' ELISA method. RESULTS: The levels of total TGF-β(2) in the aqueous samples of POAG, NVG, and SOAG were elevated. The levels of active TGF-β(2) in the aqueous samples of POAG, and NVG were also elevated, whereas the level of active TGF-β(2) was within the normal range in the aqueous samples of SOAG. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the level of TGF-β(2) may play a role in the pathology of various types of glaucoma.