Effects of Toll-like receptors on complement system in patients with wet-age-related macular degeneration

Abstract:

Objective：To explore the effects of Toll-like receptors（TLR2，TLR3） on C3a and C5a in patients with wet-age-related macular degeneration（wet-AMD）. Methods：Peripheral blood samples were collected from 15 patients with wet-AMD and 15 subjects without wet-AMD were taken as controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were then isolated using gradient centrifugation. The iso－lated cells were divided into 7 groups：blank group，C3a group，C5a group，TLR2 on C3a group，TLR2 on C5a group，TLR3 on C3a group and TLR3 on C5a group. Stimulations were added to each group. The supernatant was collected and tested for concentration of AMD-related cytokines，such as interleukin-1Beta，interleukin-6，interleukin-8，interleukin-17，monocyte chemoattractant protein-1，vascular endothelial growth factor by using ELISA. Results：The concentrations of interleukin-1Beta，interleukin-6，interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were higher in TLR2 on C3a group，TLR2 on C5a group，TLR3 on C3a group and TLR3 on C5a group than in C3a group or C5a group. Concentrations of interleukin-1beta，interleukin-6，interleukin-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were obviously increased in blank group，C3a group，C5a group，TLR2 on C3a group，TLR2 on C5a group，TLR3 on C3a group and TLR3 on C5a group of patients with wet-AMD than in corresponding group of subjects without wet-AMD. Conclusion：The effects of Toll-like receptors on the complement system may promote the development of wet-AMD.