An immunohistochemical study of IgG, complement C3, collagen type III and macrophage-marker Ki-M7 in epiretinal membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the immunological changes in epiretinal membranes from the patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).


METHODS
Twelve samples of epiretinal membranes obtained during vitreous surgeries for PVR were examined by direct and indirect immunofluorescein histochemistry.


RESULTS
The cellular membranes in 8 cases were composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells, fibroblast-like cells, macrophages and collagen. Positive stainings of IgG, C3+ collagen type III and macrophage-marker Ki-M7 (CD68) was seen in the membranes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that humoral immune components and macrophages may play an important role in the development of epiretinal membrane formation.
Shi
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Xian Xijing Hospital, 4th Military Medical University, China.
Hui
Y
Y
Ma
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012160:Retina / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D003094:Collagen; D003176:Complement C3; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule