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Published on: July 9, 2013
Immunohistochemical study of angiogenesis and proliferative activity in epiretinal membranes
E Tsanou1, E Ioachim, M Stefaniotou
1Department of Pathology-Cytology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
Abstract:
Formation of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) is a serious complication of retinal diseases, the most important being proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). In this study, our goal was to (i) calculate the microvessel density (MVD), (ii) evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and (iii) correlate angiogenesis with the proliferative activity as expressed by the expression of Ki67 marker, in both membrane types. We performed immunohistochemistry in 14 PVR and eight PDR membranes, using antibodies against CD34, VEGF, Ki67 and glial fibrillary acidic protein. PDR membranes presented higher average count of microvessels compared with PVR membranes (p = 0.0015). No differences were observed concerning VEGF expression (p = 0.1). The expression of Ki67 was not correlated with microvessel number or VEGF expression. Our study confirms the presence of vascularisation in PDR membranes, as well as the presence of VEGF even in avascular PVR membranes, suggesting that immunoreactivity for VEGF may not be accompanied by angiogenesis.
Insights
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) membranes show higher microvessel density than proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) membranes. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression did not differ, and proliferation markers did not correlate with vascularization in these epiretinal membranes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) are a significant complication of retinal diseases like proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).
- Understanding the angiogenic processes within ERMs is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify microvessel density (MVD) in PDR and PVR membranes.
- To assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in both types of ERMs.
- To correlate angiogenesis with proliferative activity using the Ki67 marker.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was performed on 14 PVR and 8 PDR membranes.
- Antibodies used included CD34 (for MVD), VEGF, Ki67 (proliferation marker), and glial fibrillary acidic protein.
- Statistical analysis was used to compare MVD, VEGF expression, and Ki67 correlation.
Main Results:
- PDR membranes exhibited a significantly higher MVD compared to PVR membranes (p = 0.0015).
- No significant difference in VEGF expression was found between PDR and PVR membranes (p = 0.1).
- Ki67 expression did not correlate with MVD or VEGF levels in either membrane type.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms vascularization in PDR membranes.
- VEGF is present even in avascular PVR membranes, suggesting VEGF immunoreactivity may not always indicate active angiogenesis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of VEGF in ERM formation.
