title: TGF-ß and RPE-derived cells in taut subretinal strands from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the distribution of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and cells derived from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a major source for TGF-ß in subretinal strands (SRSs), originating from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy (PDVR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine SRSs (PVR: n=6 and PDVR: n=3) were obtained during pars plana vitrectomy. Specimens were processed for immunohistochemical analysis in paraffin wax or studied by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Staining for TGF-ß was consistent in all specimens. The content of RPE-derived cells identified by anticytokeratin staining revealed considerable differences, ranging from <10 to >90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The widespread immunoreactivity for TGF-ß in SRSs suggests a significant role of this group of cytokines in the pathologic course of PVR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. jorgw@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoerauf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D014821:Vitrectomy; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007633:Keratins