Dr.RAVISH GHANSHYAM VAISHNAV, V15527
PURPOSE: To identify molecular factors that would aid in predicting favorable and adverse clinical cross-linking outcomes in keratoconus (KC).
METHODS: The gene expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP1) and collagens were measured by quantitative PCR in the epithelium (cone and epithelium) of 37 KC patients undergoing cross-linking. Pre-op tears cytokine profiles (30 analytes) of the two patients who developed unilateral sterile infiltrates were analyzed using cytometric bead array.
RESULTS: Pre-operative levels of cone specific LOX expression in cases of positive outcome were significantly higher (p>0.05). MMP9 levels were relatively lower in cases with positive outcome. The pre-op inflammatory markers were >1.5 fold higher in the eyes that developed sterile infiltrate.
CONCLUSION: Pre-operative levels of tear inflammatory cytokine profile aid in prediction of cross-linking outcomes.
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