[Electron-immunostaining characteristics of platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor beta1 and their receptors in epiretinal membranes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ultrastructural distribution of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) and their receptors in epiretinal membranes (ERM) and discuss the clinical significance of the distribution.


METHODS
25 membrane specimens were surgically removed by vitrectomy from 9 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Double-staining techniques of immunoelectromicroscopy for eight antibodies (PDGF, TGF-beta(1), PDGF receptor subunits alpha and beta, TGF-beta subunits I and II, type I and III collagen) were used in these specimens as previously designed.


RESULTS
PDGF and TGF-beta(1) staining appeared to be stronger on early (< 2 months) and late (> 6 months) stage membranes than that of middle (2 - 6 months) stage of membranes, and the immunostaining intensity inverted with the degree of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). We found that the gold particles of PDGF and TGF-beta(1) tended to get together with that of type I and III collagen. In addition, the stainings of four growth factor receptors were frequently positive in a type of epithelial-like cells with rich cytoplasm components, and also the gold particles of PDGF and TGF-beta(1) were found around these cells.


CONCLUSIONS
A concentration change of PDGF and TGF-beta(1) exists in development of ERM throughout. The epithelial-like cells are of a type of active cells, and autocrine and paracrine activity may be involved in ERM pathogenesis. PDGF and TGF-beta(1) influence the contractile activity of ERM.
Wang
F
F
Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai 200080, China.
Xu
X
X
Zhang
X
X
Yan
Y
Y
D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor