Measurement of the Cytokines Interleukin-10 and Interleukin-6 in Vitreous Fluid, with the IL-10 to IL-6 Ratio

The level of cytokines in the vitreous fluid can be helpful in distinguishing intraocular lymphoma from uveitis.

Specimen: vitreous fluid (testing can be performed on a supernatant while after cells are submitted for cytology)

Measurement:

(1) interleukin-10 in pg/mL

(2) interleukin-6 in pg/mL

ratio =

= (concentration of IL-10) / (concentration of IL-6)

Interpretation:

• In patients with intraocular B-cell lymphoma the IL-10 concentration and the IL-10 to IL-6 ratio are elevated (> 1).

• In a patient with an intraocular T-cell lymphoma the IL-10 is usually not elevated.

• In patients with uveitis the IL-10 is low, the IL-6 elevated and the IL-10 to IL-6 ratio < 1.

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