Pigment epithelium-derived factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in branch retinal vein occlusion with macular edema.
BACKGROUND
We investigated whether pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) influence macular edema in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). This investigation aimed to clarify the influence of PEDF in the vitreous fluid on retinal vascular permeability in patients with macular edema secondary to BRVO. The findings were expected to be useful for the treatment of macular edema in BRVO patients.


METHODS
This was a retrospective cross-sectional comparative case series. Thirty-three BRVO patients with macular edema and 24 control patients with nonischemic ocular diseases were enrolled. Retinal ischemia was evaluated by measuring the area of capillary nonperfusion on fluorescein angiography with Scion Image software. Macular edema was examined by optical coherence tomography. Vitreous fluid samples were obtained via pars plana vitrectomy, and the VEGF and PEDF levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The vitreous level of VEGF was significantly higher in BRVO patients than controls (P < 0.001). The vitreous PEDF level was significantly lower in BRVO patients than controls (P = 0.026). In BRVO patients, vitreous levels of PEDF and VEGF showed a significant negative correlation with each other (P < 0.001). Additionally, the vitreous VEGF level had a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) and the vitreous PEDF level had a significant negative correlation (P < 0.001) with the nonperfused retinal area in BRVO patients. Furthermore, vitreous levels of VEGF and PEDF showed significant positive (P = 0.001) and negative (P = 0.014) correlations, respectively, with macular edema in BRVO patients.


CONCLUSIONS
VEGF and PEDF may inversely influence retinal vascular permeability in patients with ischemic BRVO and macular edema. However, prospective validation will be needed to confirm these observations.
Noma
Hidetaka
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Yachiyo Medical Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 477-96, Owada-shinden, Yachiyo, Chiba, 276-8524, Japan. nomahide@tymc.twmu.ac.jp
Funatsu
Hideharu
H
Mimura
Tatsuya
T
Harino
Seiyo
S
Eguchi
Shuichiro
S
Hori
Sadao
S
D000368:Aged; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
D005136:Eye Proteins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human