PURPOSE: To examine the expression of activin A in eyes and to determine the possible functions of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: The activin A concentration in vitreous specimens obtained from eyes with or without retinal ischemia was measured by a bioassay using erythroid differentiation factor effects of activin A. The expression of activin A and activin receptors in the preretinal membranes was observed by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The mean concentration of activin A in the eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 1. 50 +/- 1.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 10), and that in the nondiabetic eyes without retinal ischemia (macular hole and epiretinal membrane) was 0.90 +/- 0.55 ng/mL (n = 5). Neither difference was significant. Activin A and its receptors were detected in the vascular endothelial cells, fibroblast-like cells and round-shaped macrophage-like cells in preretinal proliferative membranes by immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Activin A is involved in the proliferative membrane formation in both ischemic and nonischemic vitreoretinal proliferative diseases. Activin A, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, regulates angiogenesis and tissue fibrosis in the wound healing process.
PURPOSE: To examine the expression of activin A in eyes and to determine the possible functions of activin A in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: The activin A concentration in vitreous specimens obtained from eyes with or without retinal ischemia was measured by a bioassay using erythroid differentiation factor effects of activin A. The expression of activin A and activin receptors in the preretinal membranes was observed by immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The mean concentration of activin A in the eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 1. 50 +/- 1.27 ng/mL (mean +/- SD; n = 10), and that in the nondiabetic eyes without retinal ischemia (macular hole and epiretinal membrane) was 0.90 +/- 0.55 ng/mL (n = 5). Neither difference was significant. Activin A and its receptors were detected in the vascular endothelial cells, fibroblast-like cells and round-shaped macrophage-like cells in preretinal proliferative membranes by immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Activin A is involved in the proliferative membrane formation in both ischemic and nonischemic vitreoretinal proliferative diseases. Activin A, a member of TGF-beta superfamily, regulates angiogenesis and tissue fibrosis in the wound healing process.
Authors: Vassiliki Poulaki; Nicholas Mitsiades; Friedrich E Kruse; Sven Radetzky; Eirini Iliaki; Bernd Kirchhof; Antonia M Joussen Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2004-04 Impact factor: 4.307