Background: The pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments remains unclear, but some data suggest immune system involvement. Cytokines are substances secreted by cells in order to modulate the function of other cells. They exert primarily local effects. Because the TH1/TH2 balance is crucial in the immune response, the predominance of one cytokine profile in subretinal fluid may be of particular importance in understanding its pathogenesis.
Material/Methods: We measured the titres of IL-10 and tIL-12 in the subretinal fluid of 36 rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients using ELISA assays.
Results: The mean level of IL-10 and tIL-12 in the subretinal fluid was 4.75 pg/ml and 106.5 pg/ml, respectively.
Conclusions: It would appear that IL-10 and IL-12 are produced by cells in subretinal fluid, and their presence may be evidence for an existing inflammatory process. Despite the tendency to decreased cytokine concentration over time and the tendency to higher concentrations of IL-10 and tIL-12 when the detachment of the retina is more extensive, no predominance of TH1- or TH2-type response was observed.

Keywords: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, TH1/TH2 balance, IL-10, IL-12, subretinal fluid