Different expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and pigment epithelium-derived factor between diabetic and non-diabetic epiretinal membranes.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To determine whether there is a difference in protein levels of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) between diabetic and non-diabetic epiretinal membranes (ERMs).

METHODS:

ERMs and vitreous were surgically removed from the eyes of 8 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and from 6 patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Concentrations of VEGF, PEDF, PDGF and TGF-beta(1) were investigated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS:

The concentrations of VEGF were higher in ERMs from patients with diabetes (9.2 +/- 8.0 pg/microg protein) compared to those without diabetes (1.2 +/- 3.0 pg/microg protein; p = 0.026), while the concentrations of PEDF were higher in ERMs from patients without diabetes (7.5 +/- 1.5 ng/microg protein) compared to those with diabetes (3.5 +/- 1.5 ng/microg protein; p = 0.002). In addition, the VEGF-to-PEDF ratio was higher in diabetic ERMs (2.80 +/- 1.83) than in non-diabetic ones (0.17 +/- 0.09; p = 0.019). However, the concentrations of PDGF and TGF-beta(1) in membranes were not different between patients with diabetes and those without diabetes.

CONCLUSION:

This study found the difference in protein levels of expression of VEGF and PEDF between diabetic and non-diabetic ERMs. These results suggest that a disturbance in the balance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors may play an important role in angiogenesis in diabetic ERMs.

• Authors: Dong Heun Nam, Jaeryung Oh, Joon Ho Roh, Kuhl Huh
• Journal: Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde (Ophthalmologica) Vol. 223 Issue 3 Pg. 188-91 ( 2009) ISSN: 1423-0267 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 19182495 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Eye Proteins
• Nerve Growth Factors
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
• Serpins
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
• pigment epithelium-derived factor

Topics

• Aged
• Diabetic Retinopathy (metabolism, pathology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Epiretinal Membrane (metabolism, pathology)
• Eye Proteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (metabolism, pathology)
• Nerve Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (metabolism)
• Serpins (metabolism)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)
• Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative (metabolism, pathology)