Soluble apoptotic factors and adhesion molecules in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

To investigate the association between soluble apoptosis and adhesion molecules and the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after reattachment surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

A multiplex immunoassay was used to measure soluble Fas (sFas), sFas ligand (sFasL), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1 levels in 55 subretinal fluid samples collected during scleral buckling surgery for primary RRD. Seventeen patients who developed a redetachment due to postoperative PVR after reattachment surgery (PVR group) were compared with age-, sex-, and storage-time-matched RRD samples from 38 patients with an uncomplicated postoperative course (RRD group). Ten vitreous samples from patients with macular hole and ten vitreous samples from eye bank eyes served as additional controls.

A 2- to 3-fold increase in levels of sFas, sFasL, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 was found in the PVR group compared with those of the RRD group (P < 0.05 for all analytes), as well as a 5- to 20-fold increase in the PVR group compared with those of additional control groups (P < 0.001 for all analytes). Significant associations (P < 0.001) were found between sFas and both sICAM-1 (r = 0.84) and sVCAM-1 (r = 0.93) and between sFasL and both sICAM-1 (r = 0.82) and sVCAM-1 (r = 0.85). In addition, sFas, sFasL, and sVCAM-1 were significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the extent and duration of retinal detachment.

These findings indicate that an increased expression of soluble apoptosis and adhesion molecules at the time of primary retinal detachment surgery is associated with the future development of PVR.