Human connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression of epiretinal and subretinal fibrovascular membranes: a report of three cases.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA expression and immunohistochemical characteristics (expression of type I collagen and tenascin) of fibrovascular membranes of proliferative retinal diseases under in vivo conditions.


METHODS
CTGF mRNA expression was investigated using in situ hybridization. Expression of type I collagen and tenascin was detected by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
CTGF mRNA is produced in transformed retinal pigment epithelial cells and appears also in fibroblast-like cells, which are embedded in epiretinal and subretinal membranes of proliferative retinal diseases as well as in surgically removed subretinal membranes. In all examined membranes, expression of human CTGF mRNA appears in concurrence with the expression of type I collagen and tenascin.


CONCLUSIONS
The predominant expression of CTGF mRNA in the development of fibrovascular membranes of proliferative retinal diseases suggests a significant role of CTGF in the pathological course of these ocular disorders.
University Eye Clinic, Department of Ophthamopathology, Basel, Switzerland. Peter.Meyer@unibas.ch
Peter
P
Meyer
Kerstin
K
Wunderlich
Hermann L
HL
Kain
Christian
C
Prünte
Josef
J
Flammer
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019063:Tenascin / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D024042:Collagen Type I; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019063:Tenascin; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor