Stage specificity of novel growth factor expression during development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the relative levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGF-AA), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in glial and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of epiretinal membranes from proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).


METHODS
A total of 37 PVR membranes, of various stages, underwent fluorescent immunohistochemisty and confocal laser scanning microscopy to localize CTGF, HGF, and PDGF-AA in RPE and glial cells.


RESULTS
Numerous RPE, and relatively fewer glial cells, were found in all stages of PVR. CTGF immunoreactivity increased from early to late stage PVR and was principally expressed by RPE cells in early stage, and by glial cells in late stage PVR. HGF, expressed by both RPE and glial cells, was principally expressed in mid-stage PVR. PDGF-AA, expressed by both cell types, demonstrated a uniform level of staining throughout all stages of PVR.


CONCLUSIONS
RPE and glial cells contribute to the expression of CTGF, HGF, and PDGF-AA during PVR, but with specific developmental patterns. PDGF-AA is expressed uniformly throughout all stages of PVR, while HGF expression peaks during mid stage, and CTGF expression is highest during late stage PVR. These results allow for the development of stage-specific therapeutics for PVR that may allow targeting of the early proliferative and/or the late tractional stages of PVR.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
J Z
JZ
Cui
A
A
Chiu
D
D
Maberley
P
P
Ma
A
A
Samad
J A
JA
Matsubara
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; C075278:platelet-derived growth factor A; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D007633:Keratins