Expression of pigment epithelium derived factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in choroidal neovascular membranes and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), a protein that inhibits angiogenesis, is expressed in human choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) and in tissues from an eye with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). In addition, to compare the expression of PEDF with that of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a known stimulator of angiogenesis, in these tissues.


METHODS
CNVMs, associated with age related macular degeneration (AMD), angioid streaks, and PCV, were obtained during surgery. The expression of PEDF and VEGF in the excised subretinal fibrovascular membranes was determined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
PEDF and VEGF were strongly expressed in the vascular endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the CNVMs where numerous new vessels were prominent (clinically active CNVMs). On the other hand, immunoreactivity for PEDF and VEGF was weak in the new vessels where fibrosis was prominent (clinically quiescent CNVMs). However, the RPE cells were still positive for PEDF and VEGF. The specimens from the eye with PCV also showed strong expression of PEDF and VEGF in the vascular endothelial cells and the RPE cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Because PEDF is an inhibitor of ocular angiogenesis and an inhibitor of ocular cell proliferation, our results suggest that PEDF along with VEGF may modulate the formation of subfoveal fibrovascular membranes.
Matsuoka
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Osaka 570-8507, Japan.
Ogata
N
N
Otsuji
T
T
Nishimura
T
T
Takahashi
K
K
Matsumura
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002829:Choroid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D015843:Serpins / Q000032:analysis*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor