title: Human ciliary epithelium as a source of synthesis and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor in neovascular glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retinal ischemia-induced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to endothelial proliferation of the anterior segment, resulting in neovascular glaucoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the ciliary epithelium as a possible source of VEGF in human eyes enucleated for intractable neovascular glaucoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this proof-of-concept, laboratory-based study, 16 human enucleated eyes (8 with neovascular glaucoma and 8 as controls) were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presence of VEGF by immunohistochemical analysis (VEGF protein) and in situ hybridization (VEGF messenger RNA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In eyes with neovascular glaucoma, strong VEGF immunoreaction in the nonpigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary processes and in the retina was noted. In situ hybridization for VEGF messenger RNA revealed a similar pattern, with positive stain results only in eyes with neovascular glaucoma. A minimal amount of VEGF immunostaining was seen in control eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nonpigmented ciliary epithelium is an important site of VEGF synthesis in patients with neovascular glaucoma. The ciliary epithelium may represent an additional focus of treatment in the management of neovascular glaucoma, especially in eyes that are nonresponsive to panretinal photocoagulation.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville.
authors: Kakarla V
authors: KV
authors: Chalam
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville2Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
authors: Vikram S
authors: VS
authors: Brar
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville.
authors: Ravi K
authors: RK
authors: Murthy
mesh_terms: D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D015870:Gene Expression; D015355:Glaucoma, Neovascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A