A number of studies have shown that the levels of some proteins in the aqueous humor (AH) are altered and correlate with the mechanisms or prognosis of many eye diseases. To identify the possible mechanisms that lead to the development of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a proteomic analysis of the AH composition from wet AMD patients was performed and compared with that from non-AMD cataract patients.

Six wet AMD and 6 non-AMD cataract patients were enrolled. A proteomic approach which included two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with mass spectrometry and bioinformatics methods were used to identify AH proteins with altered expression in wet AMD compared with non-AMD patients. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to validate the proteomic results.

We separated 78 protein spots and identified 68 that were differently expressed in the wet AMD group and controls. Numerous proteins identified in this study are implicated in inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and oxidative stress.

The AH protein composition was significantly different between wet AMD and non-AMD patients. The proteins identified in this study may be potential biomarkers of wet AMD development and might play a role in the mechanisms of wet AMD.