Expression and possible roles of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of activin A in eyes and to determine the possible functions of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases.


METHODS
The activin A concentration in vitreous specimens obtained from eyes with or without retinal ischemia was measured by a bioassay using erythroid differentiation factor effects of activin A. The expression of activin A and activin receptors in the preretinal membranes was observed by immunohistochemical analysis.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of activin A in the eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 1. 50 +/- 1.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 10), and that in the nondiabetic eyes without retinal ischemia (macular hole and epiretinal membrane) was 0.90 +/- 0.55 ng/mL (n = 5). Neither difference was significant. Activin A and its receptors were detected in the vascular endothelial cells, fibroblast-like cells and round-shaped macrophage-like cells in preretinal proliferative membranes by immunohistochemical analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Activin A is involved in the proliferative membrane formation in both ischemic and nonischemic vitreoretinal proliferative diseases. Activin A, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, regulates angiogenesis and tissue fibrosis in the wound healing process.
Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University Sakura Hospital, Sakura, Chiba, Japan.
T
T
Yamamoto
S
S
Takeuchi
K
K
Suzuki
H
H
Yamashita
D029404:Activin Receptors; D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins; D029404:Activin Receptors