title: Transforming growth factor beta2 in the vitreous in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the hypothesis that transforming growth factor beta2 (TGF-beta2) is involved in the cause of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
  
  
  METHODS
  We assayed TGF-beta2 levels in the vitreous of patients with PDR and other vitreoretinal disorders. Forty-nine vitreous specimens were obtained from eyes of patients with PDR undergoing vitrectomy, and 19 vitreous specimens from nondiabetic subjects served as controls. We assessed TGF-beta2 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both mature and total TGF-beta2 levels were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (+/- SD) total levels of TGF-beta2 were 2634 (+/- 1652) pg/mL in the patients with PDR and 1305 (+/- 972) pg/mL in controls. The mean (+/- SD) levels of mature TGF-beta2 were 244 (+/- 316) pg/mL in patients with PDR and 79 (+/- 81) pg/mL in controls. Total and mature TGF-beta2 levels were significantly greater in patients with PDR (total TGF-beta2, P <.001; mature TGF-beta2, P <.01). Mature TGF-beta2 levels were higher in the vitreous of patients who had severe fibrous proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate increased levels of both total and mature TGF-beta2 in the vitreous of patients with PDR, suggesting that TGF-beta2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PDR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirase
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sotozono
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinoshita
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta