The effect of human intraocular fluid on vascular endothelial cell migration.

Several recent studies have demonstrated that vascular endothelial cell migration is an essential element of new blood vessel formation. We have recently developed an in vitro assay to study the effect of various substances on vascular endothelial cell migration. We now report the use of this assay to study the effect of human intraocular fluid on endothelial cell migration. We have found a good correlation between the presence of progressive retinal neovascularization in an eye and the ability of vitreous cavity fluid from that eye (obtained at the time of vitrectomy) to stimulate vascular endothelial cell migration in vitro.