Alphab-crystallin expression in epiretinal membrane of human proliferative diabetic retinopathy

To examine the expression of alphaB-crystallin and its colocalization with vascular endothelial growth factor in the epiretinal membrane of human proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Ten epiretinal membranes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and three normal retinas surgically excised were included in this study. Paraformaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections were processed for immunohistochemistry with alphaB-crystallin, vascular endothelial growth factor, and CD31 antibodies.

AlphaB-crystallin was expressed in all epiretinal membranes examined. The immunolocalization of alphaB-crystallin was detected in the cytoplasm of CD31-positive endothelial cells, but not in normal retinal blood vessels. Furthermore, alphaB-crystallin immunoreactivity was colocalized in vascular endothelial growth factor-positive endothelial cells in proliferative diabetic retinopathy membranes.

AlphaB-crystallin was expressed in proliferative diabetic retinopathy membranes, and colocalized with vascular endothelial growth factor-positive neovessels. AlphaB-crystallin may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of epiretinal membranes in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, together with vascular endothelial growth factor.