Purpose: Evaluation of the serum and aqueous humor antibodies to beta-2 glycoprotein I in patients with glaucoma.
Material and methods: 48 persons (38 women and 17 men), aged 30-86 (mean age 70), suffering from glaucoma was examined. There were 19 with POAG, 18 with PACG and 11 with PEXG. All patients have undergone trabeculectomy. The group of 20 operated patients, because of age-related cataracta (7 men and 13 women), aged 47-82 (mean age 65), constituted a control group. All patients agreed with samples collection. In plasma and anterior chamber fluid, the level of antibodies to b-2 glycoprotein I classes IgA and IgG were measured using ELISA method (commercial kits produced by Euroimmun), according to producer's instruction. Statistical analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test when both groups were compared and Spearman test to comparisons concerning single group.
Results: Significant changes between glaucoma and cataract patients were observed in anti-b-2 glycoprotein I antibodies class IgA in aqueous humour (p=0.04) and in serum (p=0.03).
Conclusions: Knowledge of the immunological pathogenesis in the glaucomatous nerve damage can be curtailed or even prevented with the use of proper agents. Indeed, there are many intriguing new therapeutic possibilities on the horizon. To determine the clinical potential of serum antibodies in glaucoma patients, a randomized clinical trial would be necessary. It is the preliminary communication.