Purpose: To investigate the distribution of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and cells derived from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as a major source for TGF-ß in subretinal strands (SRSs), originating from patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy (PDVR).
Methods: Nine SRSs (PVR: n=6 and PDVR: n=3) were obtained during pars plana vitrectomy. Specimens were processed for immunohistochemical analysis in paraffin wax or studied by transmission electron microscopy.
Results: Staining for TGF-ß was consistent in all specimens. The content of RPE-derived cells identified by anticytokeratin staining revealed considerable differences, ranging from <10 to >90%.
Conclusions: The widespread immunoreactivity for TGF-ß in SRSs suggests a significant role of this group of cytokines in the pathologic course of PVR.