Detection of cytokine mRNA production in infiltrating cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the infiltrating cells in the vitreous and subretinal fluid of patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) express messenger RNA for various cytokines found in this condition.


METHODS
The presence of mRNA coding for HPRT, IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-8, and TNFalpha was investigated in 20 vitreous and subretinal fluid (SRF) samples from patients with PVR by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 16 samples from patients with retinal detachment and macular holes were used as controls.


RESULTS
HPRT was detected in all samples of PVR and in 11 (69%) control cases. Patients with PVR demonstrated mRNA for the cytokines tested more often than controls. The difference was statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of mRNA encoding for IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-8, and TNFalpha is significantly detected by RT-PCR in vitreous and SRF samples of patients with PVR, indicating local production of these cytokines by vitreous and SRF cells.
El-Ghrably
I A
IA
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham.
Dua
H S
HS
Orr
G M
GM
Fischer
D
D
Tighe
P J
PJ
D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007041:Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007041:Hypoxanthine Phosphoribosyltransferase