# Massive Hemorrhage in PCV Is Associated With Lower‐Than‐Normal VEGF Level and Dramatically Elevated Inflammatory Cytokine Levels in Aqueous Mingxuan

## TL;DR

This study found that a specific eye condition with massive bleeding has lower VEGF and higher inflammation markers compared to other similar conditions.

## Contribution

The study identifies unique cytokine profiles in PCV with massive hemorrhage, highlighting inflammation's role in its development.

## Key findings

- VEGF levels were significantly lower in PCV with massive hemorrhage compared to other groups.
- Inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 were dramatically elevated in PCV with massive hemorrhage.
- IL-10 levels were higher in PCV with massive hemorrhage than in typical nAMD.

## Abstract

To compare the aqueous cytokine profile in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with or without massive hemorrhage and typical neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD).

The present comparative study included 81 treatment‐naïve eyes from 75 patients (PCV with massive hemorrhage 20 eyes, PCV without massive hemorrhage 19 eyes, typical nAMD 19 eyes, and cataract control 23 eyes). 10 cytokines (VEGF, IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, IP‐10, G‐CSF, and IFN‐γ, IL‐10) in the aqueous humor were measured by cytometric bead array.

VEGF levels in PCV with massive hemorrhage (median 5.20 pg/mL) were significantly lower than that in PCV without massive hemorrhage (median 34.76 pg/mL, p = 0.003) and typical nAMD (median 43.88 pg/mL, p < 0.001). They were even lower than that in normal cataract controls (median 22.02 pg/mL, p = 0.037). Multiple inflammatory cytokines were dramatically elevated in PCV with massive hemorrhage. IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1, ICAM‐1, and IP‐10 levels were significantly higher in PCV with massive hemorrhage than that in the other three groups. VCAM‐1 levels were significantly higher in PCV with massive hemorrhage than that in typical nAMD and in control. G‐CSF and IFN‐γ levels were significantly higher in PCV without massive hemorrhage than that in control. IL‐10 levels were significantly higher in PCV with massive hemorrhage than that in typical nAMD.

This pilot study showed that PCV with massive hemorrhage had a lower‐than‐normal VEGF level in aqueous humor and inflammation may be actively involved in the pathogenesis of massive hemorrhage in PCV.