To investigate the association among different circulating stem cell (SC) populations, the levels of selected growth factors and chemokines regulating SC migration in the peripheral blood, and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: We evaluated 88 participants in this study: 29 preterm infants with ROP, 29 preterm infants without ROP, and 30 healthy full-term infants. Peripheral blood samples collected 10 weeks after delivery were analyzed using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, realtime reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The following cell populations were analyzed: (1) lin-CXCR4 ϩ CD45 − (enriched in very small embryonic-like SCs), (2) lin − CXCR4 ϩ CD45 ϩ (enriched in hematopoietic SCs), and (3) CD34 ϩ CD133 ϩ CD144 ϩ (early endothelial progenitor cells) [lin indicates lineage]. The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and stromal cellderived factor 1 were measured in the plasma. Results: The very small embryonic-like SCs and early endothelial progenitor cells expressing neural and endothelial markers were significantly increased in the preterm infants. The number of early endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood was significantly greater in the preterm infants with ROP than in the preterm infants without ROP. An accompanying increase in the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor was found in the peripheral blood of the preterm infants with ROP. No significant associations were found between hematopoietic SCs and ROP or prematurity. Conclusions: The increased number of early endothelial progenitor cells along with elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor in preterm infants with ROP suggest that circulating vasculogenic factors may play a role in the development and progression of ROP. The increased number of very small embryonic-like SCs in preterm infants suggests that the development of immature tissues and organs, including the retina, may require a contribution of circulating SCs.
The aim of this study was to evaluate selected lipid-related and vascular factors and their effect on retrobulbar hemodynamics in glaucoma. Fifty-six patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) [POAG group; mean age 68.32 years (SD±0.21)] and 54 patients in control group [CG, mean age 68.1 years (SD±5.34)] were examined. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, pulsatility index, and resistive index of the ophthalmic artery, the central retinal artery and the posterior ciliary arteries were measured by Color Doppler Imaging. Selected lipid-related, systemic and local vascular parameters were evaluated. Statistical methods included Shapiro-Wilk, Student-t and Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman rank correlations. In POAG group systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch), and intraocular pressure were significantly higher; while ocular perfusion pressure, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch) and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure were significantly lower (p≤0.05). Color Doppler Imaging confirmed blood flow abnormalities in all investigated arteries. In addition, significant correlations of HDL-ch, LDL-ch and triglycerides (TG) with peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and mean velocity were found in individual arteries (p≤0.05). Also, significant associations of systolic arterial blood pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, systolic oclular perfusion pressure and diastolic ocular perfusion pressure with peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity and resistive index were revealed in the posterior ciliary arteries (p≤0.05). Dysregulation of lipid-related and vascular factors, as well as statistical correlation between the above and retrobulbar blood flow indices, might imply their role in vasoconstrictive processes during glaucomatous endotheliopathy.
The authors presented a case of a 50-year-old woman with vision deterioration in the right eye lasting for 3 weeks, without concomitant organ symptoms. Eye fundus examination showed two large bullae of the detached retina, without a visible tear. Fluorescein angiography revealed fluorescein leakage around retinal vessels and dye release in detachment borders in the venous phase. Laboratory tests ruled out parasite, inflammatory and infectious diseases. Chest X-ray with central nervous system and abdominal cavity imaging (Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging) showed disseminated lung tumour with metastases to the brain. Histological evaluation confirmed disseminated lung adenocarcinoma T2N3M1. Spontaneous unilateral exudative retinal detachment, without any chorioretinal metastases may be the first ocular sign of disseminated malignancy.
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