Elevated Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 In Plasma Of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

PURPOSE. To test the hypothesis that primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients have a systemic elevation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1).METHODS. Plasma was prepared from blood samples drawn from patients of the Vanderbilt Eye Institute during clinic visits. Concentrations of total TGF beta 1 and thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) in plasma were determined by ELISA. Statistical significance of differences between POAG and control samples was evaluated by Mann-Whitney test. Regression analysis was used to evaluate correlations between plasma TGF beta 1 and patient age and between plasma TGF beta 1 and TSP1.RESULTS. Plasma samples were obtained from 148 POAG patients and 150 controls. Concentration of total TGF beta 1 in the plasma of POAG patients (median = 3.25 ng/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in controls (median = 2.46 ng/mL). Plasma TGF beta 1 was not correlated with age of patient (P = 0.17). Thrombospondin-1 concentration was also significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in POAG patients (median = 0.774 mu g/mL) as compared to controls (median = 0.567 mu g/mL). Plasma total TGF beta 1 and TSP1 concentrations were linearly correlated (P < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS. Plasma samples from POAG patients display elevated total TGF beta 1 compared to controls, consistent with elevated systemic TGF beta 1 in POAG patients.