The Role of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in Ocular GVHD Following Allogeneic Transplantation

Purpose: To figure out the roles of tear inflammatory cytokines in Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) symptoms by analyzing tear cytokine levels and related factors.Methods: This prospective study involved 27 post-HSCT patients and 19 controls with dry eye disease. Analyses included tear cytokine (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha), ocular surface evaluation, and conjunctival impression cell examination. Tear cytokine levels were evaluated in three grades of corneal epithelial lesions. The study also analyzed the correlation between tear cytokine levels and ocular surface parameters. Tear cytokine levels were then used in a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and linear regression model to predict oGVHD related factors.Results: IL-6 has good diagnostic efficacy in oGVHD related dry eye. Elevated levels of tear IL-6 and TNF-alpha were observed in the group with severe corneal epithelial lesions. IL-6 levels were positively correlated with corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), eyelid margin hyperemia, conjunctival lesions, and meibum secretion. IL-6 showed excellent predictive ability with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values all greater than 0.70 (p < 0.05). IL-10 and TNF-alpha were negatively correlated with the meibomian gland proportion and conjunctival goblet cell (GC) density, while TNF-alpha was positively correlated with CFS and eyelid margin hyperemia.Conclusion: Dry eye symptoms related to ocular GVHD, can be partly diagnosed and assessed using various tear cytokine level detection methods.