Vitreous aspirates from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy stimulate retinal pigment epithelial cell migration
P. A. Campochiaro, J. A. Jerdan, B. M. Glaser, A. Cardin and R. G. Michels
Several studies have focused on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell
proliferation as an important event in proliferative vitreoretinopathy
(PVR). Little attention has been given to the question of how RPE cells
gain access to the vitreous cavity where proliferation occurs. We have
recently demonstrated that the serum components fibronectin and
platelet-derived growth factor stimulate and direct RPE migration in vitro.
In this study, we used this same in vitro technique to examine vitreous
aspirates from 13 eyes with PVR, five eyes with macular puckers, and three
eyes with uncomplicated retinal detachments for their ability to stimulate
RPE migration. We found that aspirates from eyes with PVR stimulated RPE
migration to a much greater extent than aspirates from eyes with macular
pucker and uncomplicated retinal detachments. The ability to stimulate RPE
cell migration correlated with high levels (mean +/- SEM, 178 +/- 67 mg/L)
of immunoreactive fibronectin.
