TY - JOUR
T1 - Human idiopathic epiretinal membranes express NGF and NGF receptors
AU - Minchiotti, Simona
AU - Stampachiacchiere, Barbara
AU - Micera, Alessandra
AU - Lambiase, Alessandro
AU - Ripandelli, Guido
AU - Billi, Bernardo
AU - Bonini, Stefano
PY - 2008/4
Y1 - 2008/4
N2 - PURPOSE: Glial cells and fibroblasts (FBs) play a key role in epiretinal membrane (ERM) development and progression. Myofibroblasts (myoFBs), arising from these cells, can lead to the hypertrophic scars and tissue contraction observed in ERMs. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) play a crucial role in FB activities. Therefore, the authors evaluated myoFBs in ERMs and NGF, trkA and p75 expression, as well as TGF-β1/TGF-βRII levels in both ERMs and vitreous. METHODS: Eight idiopathic ERMs and vitreous were obtained from patients at the time of vitrectomy for macular pucker. Ten control vitreous were from donors. Biochemical and molecular analyses were performed to identify α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a defined myoFB marker), NGF, trkA/p75, and TGF-β1/TGF-βRII. RESULTS: Every idiopathic ERM displayed α-SMA positive myoFBs, expressing NGF, trkA, and p75. ERM vitreous showed a significant decrease in NGF protein coupled with a TGF-β1 increase. In addition, vitreous cells showed an increase in trkA/p75 mRNA associated with a decrease in TGF-βRII mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic ERMs were characterized by myoFBs. The expression of NGF, trkA, and p75 in local myoFBs associated with changes in ERM vitreous NGF suggests an involvement of NGF, as previously reported for TGF-β1, in the evolution and myoFB-mediated contractile activity of ERMs.
AB - PURPOSE: Glial cells and fibroblasts (FBs) play a key role in epiretinal membrane (ERM) development and progression. Myofibroblasts (myoFBs), arising from these cells, can lead to the hypertrophic scars and tissue contraction observed in ERMs. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) play a crucial role in FB activities. Therefore, the authors evaluated myoFBs in ERMs and NGF, trkA and p75 expression, as well as TGF-β1/TGF-βRII levels in both ERMs and vitreous. METHODS: Eight idiopathic ERMs and vitreous were obtained from patients at the time of vitrectomy for macular pucker. Ten control vitreous were from donors. Biochemical and molecular analyses were performed to identify α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, a defined myoFB marker), NGF, trkA/p75, and TGF-β1/TGF-βRII. RESULTS: Every idiopathic ERM displayed α-SMA positive myoFBs, expressing NGF, trkA, and p75. ERM vitreous showed a significant decrease in NGF protein coupled with a TGF-β1 increase. In addition, vitreous cells showed an increase in trkA/p75 mRNA associated with a decrease in TGF-βRII mRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic ERMs were characterized by myoFBs. The expression of NGF, trkA, and p75 in local myoFBs associated with changes in ERM vitreous NGF suggests an involvement of NGF, as previously reported for TGF-β1, in the evolution and myoFB-mediated contractile activity of ERMs.
KW - α-SMA
KW - Epiretinal membrane
KW - Myofibroblast
KW - NGF
KW - p75
KW - TGF-β1
KW - trkA
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=42549136415&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/IAE.0b013e31815ec275
DO - 10.1097/IAE.0b013e31815ec275
M3 - Article
C2 - 18398367
AN - SCOPUS:42549136415
VL - 28
SP - 628
EP - 637
JO - Retina
JF - Retina
SN - 0275-004X
IS - 4
ER -