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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
An Ex Vivo Tissue Culture Model for Fibrovascular Complications in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Published on: January 25, 2019
Expression of proteins associated with cell-matrix adhesion in proliferative vitreoretinopathy designed by Dispase
S Isiksoy1, H Basmak, E Kasapoglu Dundar
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey.
Purpose:
During recent years, the interaction of cell surface molecule, extracellular matrix proteins, and cytoskeletal elements has been a topic for research for the purpose of understanding the mechanisms of pathologic conditions. This study aims to evaluate the expression of CD44, as a cell surface adhesion molecule; fibronectin (FN), as an extracellular and a cell surface protein; vinculin and actin/á-smooth muscle actin (alfa-SMA), as cytoskeletal elements; and the interactions of these proteins in the microenvironment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).
Methods:
This experimental study was designed by the intravitreal Dispase model in rabbits and proteins' expression were evaluated via immunohistochemical staining.
Results:
As a cell surface protein, CD44 expression was determined in only four eyes focally and weakly, but in a small number of cells. Among the cytoskeletal proteins, vinculin expression was the most extensive and the strongest in intensity in epi- and subretinal membranes. Alpha-SMA expression was mostly present within small foci of cells. Fibronectin expression was determined in some of the eyes only faintly.
Conclusions:
Vinculin seems to be involved in PVR pathogenesis. Variability in co-distribution of the expression of vinculin, FN, and alfa-SMA reflects the dynamic interactions evolving between cell and extracellular matrix during the epi- and subretinal membrane formations. The results of this study were determined not to be in support of the assumption that CD44 has a functional role in the pathogenesis of PVR.
