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Gli1 Expression in Human Epiretinal Membranes
Sohee Jeon1, Jiwon Baek1, Won Ki Lee1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|January 31, 2017
Summary
Gli1 expression is common in epiretinal membranes (ERM). Higher Gli1 levels correlate with diabetic retinopathy and chronic retinal damage, suggesting a role in ERM pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epiretinal membranes (ERM) are fibrocellular proliferations on the retinal surface.
- The molecular mechanisms driving ERM formation and progression are not fully understood.
- Gli1 is a downstream target of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, implicated in various cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of Gli1 in human epiretinal membranes (ERM).
- To correlate Gli1 expression levels with specific clinical findings and patient data.
- To explore the potential role of Gli1 in the pathogenesis of ERM.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of patients with ERM.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of 33 human ERM specimens using anti-Gli1 antibody.
- Quantification of total cells, Gli1-positive (Gli1(+)) cells, and the percentage of Gli1(+) cells.
- Correlation of cellular properties with clinical data including diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinal breaks, and OCT findings.
Main Results:
- Gli1 expression was detected in 75.8% of ERM specimens.
- A mean of 54.0% of cells expressed Gli1.
- Significantly higher Gli1(+) cell expression was observed in ERM from patients with DR (P=0.014).
- Lower Gli1(+) cell expression was found in patients with retinal breaks (P=0.022).
- Higher Gli1 expression correlated with OCT findings of altered inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction/external limiting membrane (ELM) and cystic changes.
Conclusions:
- Gli1 is frequently expressed in human epiretinal membranes.
- Elevated Gli1 expression is associated with diabetic retinopathy and signs of chronic retinal insult.
- These findings suggest Gli1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of ERM, particularly following chronic retinal insults.
