gms | German Medical Science

104th DOG Annual Meeting

21. - 24.09.2006, Berlin

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Immunohistochemical evaluation of the fibronectin content in the subretinal fluid and epiretinal membranes of elderly patients

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  • L. Voinov - Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
  • C. Vidinova - Department of Ophthalmology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e.V.. 104. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (DOG). Berlin, 21.-24.09.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. Doc06dogP266

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2006/06dog788.shtml

Published: September 18, 2006

© 2006 Voinov et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a common cause of failure of the routine retinal detachment surgery. Recent studies show that fibronectin (FN), which plays an important role in the PVR pathogenesis changes in concentration with aging. The aim of our study was to compare immunohistologicaly the fibronectin content in the epiretinal membranes and subretinal fluid of elderly patients with that in young individuals.

Methods

Epiretinal membranes and subretinal fluid were collected during vitrectomy of 8 patients with PVR age (55-70) and 21 with PVR age (35-45). The membranes were later examined with transmission and scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemically with antibodies for fibronectin. The ELISA method was used for evaluation of FN content in the subretinal fluid.

Results

In the proliferations of the younger age group of patients the immunohistochemical staining for FN was positive and the glycoprotein was mainly distributed among the proliferating cells, on the surface of the cell membranes and in the sites of intercellular junctions. It was occasionally found in the extracellular matrix connecting the proteoglycan complexes together. Its concentration in the subretinal fluid was in the ranges of 120-140 pg/ml far higher than in patients only with retinal detachment without PVR (60-80 pg/ml). In the elderly group of PVR the FN content in the membranes was decreased. It is found mainly on the cellular surface and less in the matrix. Its concentration in the subretinal fluid was also decreased in the range of (100-110 pg/ml).

Conclusions

Our results point out that the fibronectin content in both subretinal fluid as well as in PVR epiretinal membranes diminishes with age. This can explain the lower proliferative activity in elderly patients and is important to consider in connection to the possibilities of RPE transplantations in elderly people.