Biomarkers in the management of primary inflammatory choriocapillaropathies

The aim of this project is to further unravel the pathogenesis, to improve diagnosis and to better understand the role of immunomodulatory treatment in PICCP, through the following research objectives:

Finding genetic and immunological biomarkers and unraveling the pathophysiology:

1. Confirmation of previous genetic associations and identification of new genetic associations in iMFC/PIC and the rarer forms of PICCP, by gathering the replication cohort for the GWAS from the cohort of patients in the Rotterdam Eye Hospital and newly referred patients to the UMCU.
2. Investigation of the role of platelets, coagulation factors, and the complement system through advanced laboratory blood testing in samples of PICCP patients, those already stored in the biobank of the UMCU, and those newly collected from patients at the Rotterdam Eye Hospital.
3. Exploring the anatomy of the choroid by looking for histological signs of a choroidal neurosympathetic interaction with the immune system.

Finding imaging biomarkers for PICCP:

1. Investigation of the use of SS-OCT and SS-OCT angiography in the diagnosis and monitoring of PICCP, by testing the reliability of vessel density measurement in the choriocapillaris/choroid, identifying biomarkers for active or reactivation of inflammatory lesions and parameters for CNV formation or recurrence.
2. Evaluation of a large cohort of myopic patients for the co-existence of inflammatory lesions based on OCT parameters and reviewing the clinical relevance by comparing the visual outcome and result of treatment between the group with and the group without inflammation.

Contact 
Margot van Genderen