Elevated Transforming Growth Factor β1 in Plasma of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

RESULTS. Plasma samples were obtained from 148 POAG patients and 150 controls. Concentration of total TGFb1 in the plasma of POAG patients (median ¼ 3.25 ng/mL) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than in controls (median ¼ 2.46 ng/mL). Plasma TGFb1 was not correlated with age of patient (P ¼ 0.17). Thrombospondin-1 concentration was also significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in POAG patients (median ¼ 0.774 lg/mL) as compared to controls (median ¼ 0.567 lg/mL). Plasma total TGFb1 and TSP1 concentrations were linearly correlated (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS. Plasma samples from POAG patients display elevated total TGFb1 compared to controls, consistent with elevated systemic TGFb1 in POAG patients.