Evaluation of serum semaphorin-3A and interleukin 6 levels in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
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Objectives The objective of this study was to determine whether serum semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) contribute to the shared etiopathogenesis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and related systemic diseases by quantifying their serum concentrations. Methods In a prospective case–control study, 74 participants were assigned to either the nAMD group (n = 33) or the control group (n = 41). Serum levels of Sema3A and IL-6 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The nAMD group demonstrated significantly higher IL-6 levels [5.9 (1–16.9) pg/mL] compared to the control group [1.5 (0.38–2.96) pg/mL] ( p < 0.001). In contrast, Sema3A levels were lower in the nAMD group [26.3 (11.5–100) ng/mL] than in the control group [44.7 (16.8–100) ng/mL] ( p < 0.001). The hypertension-positive group exhibited significantly higher IL-6 concentrations [2.5 (0.5–16.9) pg/mL] than the hypertension-negative group [1.7 (0.4–15.3) pg/mL] (p < 0.001). Sema3A levels did not differ significantly between hypertension-positive and hypertension-negative groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between serum Sema3A and IL-6 levels among all participants ( p < 0.001, r = -0.471). Conclusions Lower levels of the anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic mediator Sema3A, alongside elevated levels of the inflammatory mediator IL-6 in nAMD, indicate that these molecules may contribute to the systemic manifestations of the syndrome, including inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, atrial fibrillation, and Alzheimer’s disease.
