Biomarkers of Pediatric Cataracts: A Proteomics Analysis of Aqueous Fluid

Abstract

Cataracts are among the most common causes of childhood vision loss worldwide. This study seeks to identify differentially expressed proteins in the aqueous humor of pediatric cataract patients. Samples of aqueous humor were collected from pediatric and adult cataract patients and subjected to mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Samples of pediatric cataracts were grouped by subtype and compared to adult samples. Differentially expressed proteins in each subtype were identified. Gene ontology analysis was performed using WikiPaths for each cataract subtype. Seven pediatric patients and ten adult patients were included in the study. Of the pediatric samples, all seven (100%) were male, three (43%) had traumatic cataracts, two (29%) had congenital cataracts, and two (29%) had posterior polar cataracts. Of the adult patients, seven (70%) were female and seven (70%) had predominantly nuclear sclerotic cataracts. A total of 128 proteins were upregulated in the pediatric samples, and 127 proteins were upregulated in the adult samples, with 75 proteins shared by both groups. Gene ontology analysis identified inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways as upregulated in pediatric cataracts. Inflammatory and oxidative stress mechanisms may be involved in pediatric cataract formation and warrant further investigation.