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Detection of tenascin-C in surgically excised choroidal neovascular membranes
M Nicolò1, F C Piccolino, L Zardi
1Department of Neurology and Visual Science, Clinica Oculistica dell'Università di Genova, Ospedale San Martino, Genoa, Italy. nicolo@sacip.ist.unige.it
Background:
Increase of tenascin-C (TN-C) expression has been found in pathologic tissues in which angiogenesis occurs. The aim of this study was to investigate TN-C expression in human choroidal neovascularization (CNV).
Methods:
Ten choroidal neovascular membranes were surgically removed from 10 patients with age-related macular degeneration (n=6) and multifocal choroiditis (n=4). All membranes underwent immunohistochemical evaluation using monoclonal antibodies against TN-C and factor VIII.
Results:
All membranes were positive for TN-C, which was abundantly and diffusely expressed in the extracellular matrix.
Conclusions:
Our results support the concept that TN-C has a role in cell proliferation and neovascularization in humans. TN-C, as a marker of angiogenesis, may provide novel rationales for the development of pharmacologic therapies for neovascular disorders, particularly CNV.