Interleukin-6 levels in glaucoma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pathophysiology of glaucoma can be due to mechanical processes, vascular, as well as oxidative stress and inflammation. The primary areas of inflammation in glaucoma are predominantly the optic nerve head (ONH) and retina. The inflammation surely involves many inflammatory cytokines, one of which is interleukin-6 (IL-6). This review was carried out to assess the levels of IL-6 in individuals with glaucoma.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was conducted on PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using keywords “IL-6,” “glaucoma,” “inflammation,” and “interleukin.” Studies that match predetermined eligibility criteria were included.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: There were 10 studies that match the eligibility criteria. All the studies showed a significantly elevation of serum IL-6 levels (P<0.0001) and an augmented IL-6/Interleukin-10 ratio (P<0.0001) compared to the control group. Additionally, POAG patients exhibited significant increases in soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), IL-6, and IL-6/IL-6R ratios when contrasted with individuals in the control group. The studies also showed a significantly higher of IL-6 levels in aqueous humor fluid of glaucoma patients compared to the control group.CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of IOP induced hypoxia retinal tissue injury in glaucoma can stimulate the upregulation of IL-6 inflammatory markers. IL-6 works by several mechanisms, such as increasing the immune response, regenerate the retinal ganglion cells, secreting of immunoglobulin, and also impair the blood retinal barrier which will increase the inflammation process in the glaucoma disease.

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