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[Myofibroblasts and retinal fibrovascular membranes]
C J Pournaras1, G Donati, A D Kapetanios
1Policlinique d'Ophtalmologie, Genève.
Introduction:
Epiretinal tissue proliferations occurring during the evolution of ischemic microangiopathies or preretinal diseases are tough to cause retinal detachment by traction mechanisms. Cellular migration/proliferations and finally contraction are tough to be the pathogenic element. Myofibroblasts are contractile cells having features intermediate between those of the fibroblasts and smooth muscle. We conducted a study to explore whether such cells are present in preretinal membranes.
Materials And Methods:
8 membranes, preelevated during vitrectomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy or diabetic proliferative vitreoretinopathy, were analysed with immunostaining technique searching for alpha-actine smooth muscle, desmine, which are specific markers for myofibroblasts and TGF-beta1, that is considered as the mean factor promoting the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts.
Results:
All the histological preparation showed abundant staining with antibody against alpha-actine smooth muscle, desmine and TGF-beta1.
Conclusions:
Myofibroblasts are one of the major cellular element of preretinal membranes. They are scattered throughout the membrane and seem to account for their contractile properties.