Clinicopathologic findings in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) based on histopathologic findings.


METHODS
Specimens obtained by surgical excision of PCV from five eyes of five patients (mean age, 75.6 +/- 3.1 years) were studied histopathologically. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed to identify CD34, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD68, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha.


RESULTS
Hyalinization of choroidal vessels and massive exudation of fibrin and blood plasma were observed in all the specimens of PCV lesions. Some blood vessels were located above the RPE in two of the five eyes. Immunohistochemically, CD68-positive cells were detected around the hyalinized vessels. There were no alpha-SMA-positive cells in the vessels of PCV. CD34 staining showed endothelial discontinuity. Vascular endothelial cells within the PCV specimens were negative for VEGF. HIF-1alpha positive inflammatory cells were located in the stroma of specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyalinization of choroidal vessels, like arteriosclerosis, is characteristic of PCV.
Nakashizuka
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Visual Science, Division of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Mitsumata
Masako
M
Okisaka
Shigekuni
S
Shimada
Hiroyuki
H
Kawamura
Akiyuki
A
Mori
Ryusaburo
R
Yuzawa
Mitsuko
M
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages; D008297:Male; D010784:Photomicrography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D000199:Actins; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C497442:HIF1A protein, human