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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Dissection of Human Vitreous Body Elements for Proteomic Analysis
Published on: January 23, 2011
Fibrinogen-induced vitreous membranes
A M Mansour1, J Chess, P Henkind
1Department of Ophthalmology, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, N.Y.
Abstract:
Fibrinogen was injected in the vitreous cavity of 29 rabbits with follow-up for 75 days. Vitreous membrane formation was detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy and confirmed by histopathological study. Membrane formation was significantly more common in the fibrinogen group than in the control group. Fifteen days after injection, the membranes decreased in size and gave place to vitreous liquefaction in the majority of eyes in the fibrinogen group. Histochemical stains for fibrinogen were positive in half of the vitreous membranes. Fibrinogen is thought to be transformed into a long fibrin polymer forming a matrix for surrounding cells to proliferate in the vitreous. An effective fibrinolytic system in the vitreous explains the ultimate resolution of most of the fibrinogen-induced membranes. Simple fibrinogen injections do not provide a good model for long-term vitreous band formation, yet they add more evidence to the role of fibrin in the pathogenesis of vitreoproliferative diseases. The spontaneous resolution of some proliferative vitreoretinopathies parallels the reversibility of most of the fibrinogen-induced vitreous membranes.
Insights
Fibrinogen injections in rabbit eyes caused vitreous membrane formation, which later resolved. This study highlights fibrin
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Vitreous membrane formation is a key feature in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
- The role of fibrin in vitreous disease pathogenesis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of fibrinogen injection into the vitreous cavity of rabbits.
- To assess the potential of fibrinogen as a model for vitreous membrane formation and resolution.
Main Methods:
- Fibrinogen was injected into the vitreous cavity of 29 rabbits.
- Ophthalmoscopy and histopathological studies were used for evaluation.
- Histochemical stains were employed to detect fibrinogen.
Main Results:
- Vitreous membrane formation was significantly more frequent in the fibrinogen group compared to controls.
- These membranes showed a decrease in size and eventual liquefaction within 15 days.
- Fibrinogen was detected in half of the observed vitreous membranes.
Conclusions:
- Fibrinogen injection can induce transient vitreous membrane formation, likely via fibrin polymerization.
- The vitreous's fibrinolytic system facilitates the resolution of these membranes.
- While not a perfect model for chronic bands, fibrinogen's role in vitreoproliferative diseases is supported, and its induced membranes show reversibility similar to some proliferative vitreoretinopathies.
