Objective: To investigate the effect of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the alteration of tight junction protein expression in choroid plexus epithelial cells created by lanthanum-activated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) . Methods: In October 2020, immortalized rat choroid plexus epithelial cell line (Z310) cells were used as the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in vitro, and were divided into control group and 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L lanthanum chloride (LaCl(3)) treatment group. After treating Z310 cells with different concentrations of LaCl(3) for 24 hours, the morphological changes of Z310 cells were observed under inverted microscope, the protein expression levels of MMP9, occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were observed by cellular immunofluorescence method, and the protein expression levels of MMP9, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase1 (TIMP1) , occludin, ZO-1 and Nrf2 were detected by Western blotting. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the control group, Z310 cells in the LaCl(3) treatment group were smaller in size, with fewer intercellular junctions, and more dead cells and cell fragments. The expression level of MMP9 protein in cells treated with 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05) , and the expression level of TIMP1 and tight junction proteins occudin and ZO-1 was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the ROS production level in the 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly increased (P<0.05) , and the Nrf2 protein expression level in the 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 mmol/L LaCl(3) treatment group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Lanthanum may increase the level of ROS in cells by down regulating the expression of Nrf2, thus activating MMP9 to reduce the expression level of intercellular tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1.
Rats ; Animals ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Tight Junction Proteins/metabolism* ; Occludin/pharmacology* ; Choroid Plexus/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Lanthanum/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein/metabolism* ; Phosphoproteins/pharmacology*

Objective To compare the macular structure and microcirculation in both eyes of the patients with myopic anisometropia.Methods Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was employed to scan the macular areas in both eyes of 44 patients with myopic anisometropia.The patients were assigned into high and low groups based on the refractive diopter,and the parameters such as retinal thickness,choroidal thickness,vascular density,and perfusion density in the macular areas of both eyes were compared between the two groups.Results Other macular areas except the central and external nasal areas and the choroid of the fovea in the high group were thinner than those in the low group(all P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in retinal vascular density or perfusion density in different areas between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion In the patients with myopic anisometropia,most areas of the retina in the case of high myopia is thinner than that in the case of low myopia,while there is no difference in retinal vascular density or perfusion density in both eyes.
Humans ; Anisometropia ; Choroid/blood supply* ; Microcirculation ; Myopia ; Retina ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for fetuses with choroid plexus cysts (CPC) detected by prenatal ultrasonography. METHODS: Amniotic fluid chromosomal karyotype was analyzed in 104 fetuses with CPC, and copy number variations (CNVs) among the fetuses were detected by using CMA. RESULTS: Ten fetuses (9.62%) were found to have an abnormal karyotype, and 14 additional CNVs were detected in those with a normal karyotype. The fetuses were divided into isolated CPC group (n = 87) and non-isolated CPC group (n = 17) based on the presence of additional ultrasonographic abnormalities. The detection rates for karyotypic abnormalities of the two groups were 4.6% and 35.3%, respectively, whilst those for the CMA were 4.6% and 47.1%, respectively. The detection rates for karyotypic abnormalities and CMA of the non-isolated CPC group were significantly higher than those of the isolated CPC group (P < 0.05). The detection rate for CMA in the non-isolated group was significantly higher than chromosomal karyotype abnormalities (P < 0.05). Among the 8 fetuses with abnormal CMA, 4 had single umbilical artery, 3 had abnormal cardiac structure, and 2 had enhanced intestinal echo. CONCLUSION CPC is closely associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosome karyotype analysis in combination with CMA can effectively detect fetal chromosomal abnormalities and provide a basis for genetic counseling.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Choroid Plexus/diagnostic imaging* ; Microarray Analysis ; Karyotype ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Amniotic Fluid ; Cysts

PURPOSE: We investigated the long-term longitudinal changes in axial length (AL), mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP), and choroidal thickness (CT) according to the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) after glaucoma surgery. The potential variables associated with CT changes were also evaluated.METHODS: This was a prospective study for 1 year after glaucoma surgery, which included 71 eyes of 71 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The subfoveal CT (SFCT) and peripapillary CT (PPCT) were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. MOPP was calculated from the IOP and blood pressure. The AL was measured using partial coherence interferometry. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the possible association of variables.RESULTS: The AL decreased and the MOPP, SFCT, and PPCT increased significantly with IOP reduction at 1 year post-operatively (all, p < 0.001). The changes in SFCT and PPCT were significantly associated with IOP reduction at 1 year postoperatively (r = −0.519 and r = −0.528, respectively). Importantly, greater increases in SFCT and PPCT were found in patients with IOP reduction more than 30% from baseline, when compared with those with less than 30% reduction (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). The SFCT increased more significantly in patients with AL ≤ 24 mm, compared with patients with AL > 24 mm (p = 0.044).CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in the IOP, increase in the MOPP, decrease in the AL, and increase in the CT after glaucoma surgery persisted for 1 year during a long-term follow-up. These results suggested that glaucoma surgery reduced mechanical compression on the optic nerve fiber and increased intraocular blood flow.
Blood Pressure ; Choroid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Interferometry ; Intraocular Pressure ; Optic Nerve ; Perfusion ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

No abstract available.
Choroid ; Meningoencephalitis

PURPOSE: To investigate the morphological features of choroidal vasculature in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) by analyzing choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 39 patients with ED and 19 controls. ED was defined as an erectile function domain score < 26 on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Small-choroidal-vessel-layer (SCVL) thickness was calculated by subtracting large-choroidal-vessel-layer (which corresponded to Haller's layer) thickness from total choroidal thickness. Choroidal thickness was compared between the ED and control groups. RESULTS: SCVL thickness was lesser in the ED group than in the control group (control, 69.8±24.3 µm vs. ED, 55.1±19.9 µm; p=0.017). Among patients without diabetes, the ED group showed significantly lesser SCVL thickness than did the control group (control, 77.1±22.7 µm vs. ED, 56.5±20.9 µm; p=0.021). However, among patients with diabetes, choroidal thickness showed no significant intergroup difference. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that spherical equivalent (standardized coefficient β=0.294; p=0.019) and the IIEF erectile function score (standardized coefficient β=0.315; p=0.012) were significantly associated with SCVL thickness. CONCLUSIONS: SCVL thickness, including the choriocapillaris layer and medium-sized choroidal vascular layer, decreased in proportion to ED severity, suggesting that microvascular changes in choroidal vessels may occur before specific ocular diseases in patients with ED.
Choroid* ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

No abstract available.
Choroid ; Hypopigmentation ; Vitiligo

PURPOSE: To introduce novel findings of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of 16 patients (16 eyes) with PCV. OCTA (Avanti RTVue XR) findings were evaluated and selected for analysis after agreement by two retina specialists . RESULTS: Twenty one polyps in 16 eyes (16 patients) with PCV were included in this study. The mean patient age was 67 years (13 men and three women). The shape of polypoidal lesions on OCTA at initial were halo (five polyps), rosette (seven polyps), and vascular network (nine polyps). Eight months after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, in a total of four eyes, seven polyps could be followed up completely, the two halo type polypoidal lesions changed to rosette and vascular network type. The lesions of three rosette and two vascular network type lesions did not change in shape. In addition, the size of the polypoidal lesions (one among two halo types, two among three rosette types, and two among two vascular network types) decreased, but one halo type did not change and one rosette type increased in size on OCTA. CONCLUSIONS: En-face OCTA enabled us to categorize novel types of PCV with polypoidal lesions.
Angiography ; Choroid ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Humans ; Male ; Polyps ; Retina ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment of eyes with foveal serous retinal detachment (SRD) associated with inferior staphyloma and to investigate choroidal thickness changes following anti-VEGF therapy. METHODS: In this observational case series, eyes with inferior staphyloma accompanied by foveal SRD were treated with a single intravitreal anti-VEGF injection, followed by further injections as needed. Changes in height and width of subretinal fluid (SRF) and visual acuity after treatment were assessed. Choroidal thickness was measured at the subfovea, 1.5 mm superior and inferior to the fovea using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography at baseline and 1 month after initial anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS: Six eyes from six patients were included. One month after the initial injection, the mean SRF height and width had decreased significantly from 112.5 ± 40.1 to 44.5 ± 48.7 µm (p = 0.046) and from 1,401.8 ± 627.3 to 690.7 ± 634.7 µm (p = 0.028), respectively. Mean choroidal thickness at the superior point decreased from 218.7 ± 59.3 to 200.5 ± 61.0 µm (p = 0.046). SRF resolved completely in three of the six eyes (50%) with a mean of 6.8 ± 5.9 injections (range, 1 to 15). All eyes experienced at least one recurrence of exudation, at a mean interval of 4.8 months. Mean visual acuity improvement was 0.17 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units at a mean of 28.7 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-VEGF therapy resulted in an SRF decrease and modest visual improvement in eyes with foveal SRD associated with inferior staphyloma. Reduction in superior choroidal thickness appeared to contribute to the clinical improvements that were observed.
Choroid ; Endothelial Growth Factors ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde ; Subretinal Fluid ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Choroid ; Humans ; Orbit