title: Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in choroidal neovascular membranes from age-related macular degeneration patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in human choroidal neovascular membranes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin-embedded sections of choroidal neovascular membranes excised from 16 patients with wet age-related macular degeneration were used for this study. Sections were subjected to immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal mouse antihuman COX-2 antibody. Staining was classified as either negative or positive in retinal pigment epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Serial sections were stained for vimentin expression to confirm tissue antigenicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven of 16 (69%) choroidal neovascular membranes stained positive for COX-2 in retinal pigment epithelial cells, with 6 (38%) of these also expressing COX-2 in vascular endothelial cells and 6 (38%) in fibroblasts. None of the sections that were negative for COX-2 in the retinal pigment epithelial cells showed COX-2 expression in the other cell types assessed. There was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0097) in the mean ages between the COX-2 positive group (65.6 years) and COX-2 negative group (76.8 years) as determined by a two-tailed, unpaired Student's t-test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of COX-2 in human choroidal neovascular membranes suggests a possible role for this modulator in age-related macular degeneration pathogenesis. The age-dependent expression observed is novel and warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory and Registry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. shawn.maloney@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Shawn C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Maloney
authors.forename: Bruno F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castiglione
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antecka
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.forename: Miguel N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burnier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000201:enzymology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000201:enzymology; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014746:Vimentin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2