Platelet derived growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor immunolocalized in proliferative retinal diseases

Objective To study the role of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) Methods Immunohistochemical localization was performed on frozen sections of the epiretinal or subretinal membranes from 21 PVR patients using!monoclonal antibodies against PDGF and bFGF and the streptavidin peroxidase system Results PDGF was expressed in 15 of 21 specimens (71 4%), and bFGF was expressed in 14 specimens (66 7%) Different cell density was seen in different types of epiretinal membranes The cell density of vascular membranes induced by PDR and Eales disease was the highest (≥61 cells/field, ×1000); nonvascular membranes induced by PVR or traumatic PVR had moderate cell density (31-60 cells/field); and the macular membrane had the lowest cell density (≤30 cells/field) Conclusion The presents of PDGF and bFGF in PVR tissues suggest that PDGF and bFGF may play an important role in the development of PVR