Role of interleukin 6 in the inflammatory response after cataract surgery. An experimental and clinical study
F. Malecaze, P. Chollet, E. Cavrois, N. Vita, J. L. Arne and P. Ferrara
Ophthalmology Laboratory, Rangueil Hospital, Toulouse, France.
The mechanism of uveitis following cataract surgery, which is mediated in
part by the cyclooxygenase pathway, is complex, the complexity of which is
likely to be due to several factors. We investigated the possible local
involvement of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in this response. Using a specific
bioassay, we showed a dramatic increase of IL-6 levels (> 4 x 10(3)
times) in all of the aqueous humors of 12 patients following cataract
surgery. The IL-6 levels in serum samples were below detection limits,
indicating a local production of this cytokine. In addition, the injection
of highly purified recombinant interleukin 6 in the anterior chamber of the
eye in rabbits resulted in an inflammatory response. These observations
suggest that IL-6 may play a crucial role in the occurrence of inflammation
after cataract surgery, and it may lead to new therapeutic approaches to
this problem.
