Chemokine Receptor Profiles of T Cells in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the expression of multiple chemokine receptors in peripheral blood T cells from patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and/or aqueous humor were obtained from 24 AMD patients and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Chemokine receptor expression on T cells from peripheral blood was determined by multicolor flow cytometry. The levels of chemokines and cytokines in the aqueous humor from 12 AMD patients and six healthy controls were assessed. RESULTS: AMD patients had increased expressions of CCR4 in CD4(+) T cells (p=0.007) and CRTh2 in CD8(+) T cells (p=0.002), and decreased expressions of CXCR3 in CD4(+) T cells (p=0.029) and CXCR3, CCR5, and CX(3)CR1 in CD8(+) T cells (p=0.005, 0.019, and 0.007, respectively). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels were increased in the aqueous humor from AMD patients (p=0.018), while the levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-22 were significantly decreased compared to controls (p=0.018 and 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSION: The chemokine receptor profiles of T cells are altered in AMD patients compared to healthy controls without noticeable associations with chemokine levels in the aqueous humor. Further evaluation is needed to clarify the role of these alterations in AMD pathogenesis.