[Expression of the varicella zoster virus thymidine kinase and cytokines in patients with acute retinal necrosis syndrome].
Keywords
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection. In this study, we investigated the activity of this virus and expressions of some cytokines.
METHODS
The expression of VZV thymidine kinase and some cytokines were investigated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 9 eyes of 8 patients with ARN.
RESULTS
Thymidine kinase expression was observed in all samples except one. Several cytokines, such as interferon (IFN) gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta 1 were observed in the samples. Among these cytokines, a statistically significant expression of IFN gamma was observed in the samples of ARN, when compared to those of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) or other uveitis. The expression of IFN gamma also decreased during successive follow-ups.
CONCLUSIONS
These cytokines may play an important role in the immune response in ARN.
