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Expression and possible roles of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases
T Yamamoto1, S Takeuchi, K Suzuki
1Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University Sakura Hospital, Sakura, Chiba, Japan.
Purpose:
To examine the expression of activin A in eyes and to determine the possible functions of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases.
Methods:
The activin A concentration in vitreous specimens obtained from eyes with or without retinal ischemia was measured by a bioassay using erythroid differentiation factor effects of activin A. The expression of activin A and activin receptors in the preretinal membranes was observed by immunohistochemical analysis.
Results:
The mean concentration of activin A in the eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 1. 50 +/- 1.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 10), and that in the nondiabetic eyes without retinal ischemia (macular hole and epiretinal membrane) was 0.90 +/- 0.55 ng/mL (n = 5). Neither difference was significant. Activin A and its receptors were detected in the vascular endothelial cells, fibroblast-like cells and round-shaped macrophage-like cells in preretinal proliferative membranes by immunohistochemical analysis.
Conclusions:
Activin A is involved in the proliferative membrane formation in both ischemic and nonischemic vitreoretinal proliferative diseases. Activin A, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, regulates angiogenesis and tissue fibrosis in the wound healing process.