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Cellular components of proliferative vitreoretinal membranes
1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Abstract:
To understand the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinal membrane formation which occurs in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), etc., accurate identification of the cellular components of the membrane is needed. This study was performed to identify cellular components of the membranes by means of immunohistochemical technique. 11 proliferative vitreoretinal membranes which were surgically obtained from 7 eyes with PVR and 4 eyes with PDR were stained with monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or vimentin using immunoperoxidase technique (ABC method). In the PVR membranes, mean cell positivities for cytokeratin, GFAP and vimentin were 48%, 1% and 92%, respectively and in the PDR membranes, 0%, 5% and 93%, respectively. The above results suggest that retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts are major cellular components of PVR membranes, and that mesenchymal cells are major cellular components and glial cells are minor cellular components of PDR membranes.
Insights
Identifying cellular components of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) membranes is key to understanding pathogenesis. PVR membranes primarily contain retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts, while PDR membranes consist mainly of mesenchymal cells.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Pathogenesis Research
Background:
- Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) involve the formation of cellular membranes.
- Accurate identification of cellular components is crucial for understanding the pathogenesis of these membranes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the cellular components of proliferative vitreoretinal membranes in PVR and PDR.
- To elucidate the cellular basis of membrane formation in these retinal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical techniques were employed to analyze surgically obtained membranes.
- Monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and vimentin were used.
- The immunoperoxidase technique (ABC method) was applied for staining.
Main Results:
- In PVR membranes, cell positivity was 48% for cytokeratin, 1% for GFAP, and 92% for vimentin.
- In PDR membranes, cell positivity was 0% for cytokeratin, 5% for GFAP, and 93% for vimentin.
- Retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts are major components of PVR membranes.
Conclusions:
- PVR membranes are predominantly composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells and fibroblasts.
- Mesenchymal cells are the major cellular components of PDR membranes, with glial cells being minor components.
- These findings contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinal diseases.