Silicone oil concentrates fibrogenic growth factors in the retro-oil fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether silicone oil concentrates protein and growth factors in the retro-oil fluid.


METHODS
A laboratory analysis of intraocular fluid and vitreous specimens obtained from patients undergoing removal of silicone oil, revision vitrectomy, or primary vitrectomy for macular hole, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), or retinal detachment. Patients were prospectively recruited from routine vitreoretinal operating lists. Vitreous cavity fluid and vitreous samples were analysed for the presence of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and total protein using either commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or protein assay kits.


RESULTS
The median levels of bFGF, IL-6, and protein in the retro-oil fluid were raised (p<0.05) compared to all the other vitreous and vitreous cavity fluid samples. bFGF, IL-6, and protein levels were raised in PVR vitreous compared to non-PVR vitreous. TGF-beta2 levels were not significantly raised in retro-oil fluid or in PVR vitreous.


CONCLUSIONS
The concentration of fibrogenic (bFGF) and inflammatory (IL-6) growth factors and protein is raised in retro-silicone oil fluid. This may contribute to the process of retro-oil perisilicone proliferation and subsequent fibrocellular membrane formation.
Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
R H Y
RH
Asaria
C H
CH
Kon
C
C
Bunce
C S
CS
Sethi
G A
GA
Limb
P T
PT
Khaw
G W
GW
Aylward
D G
DG
Charteris
D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D012827:Silicone Oils; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D014821:Vitrectomy; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*
D005136:Eye Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012827:Silicone Oils; C509041:TGFB2 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053781:Transforming Growth Factor beta2; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2