Epiretinal Cell Proliferation in Macular Pucker and Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome: Analysis of Flat-Mounted Internal Limiting Membrane Specimens

Zhao, Fei; Gandorfer, Arnd; Haritoglou, Christos; Scheler, Renate; Schaumberger, Markus M.; Kampik, Anselm and Schumann, Ricarda G. (January 2013): Epiretinal Cell Proliferation in Macular Pucker and Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome: Analysis of Flat-Mounted Internal Limiting Membrane Specimens. In: Retina - The Journal of Retianal and Vitreous Disease, Vol. 33, No. 1: pp. 77-88

Abstract

Purpose: To describe new details of epiretinal cell proliferation in flat-mounted internal limiting membrane specimens. Methods: One hundred nineteen internal limiting membrane specimens were removed en bloc with epiretinal membranes from 79 eyes with macular pucker (MP) and 40 eyes with vitreomacular traction syndrome. Intraoperatively, posterior vitreous detachment was assessed as complete or incomplete. Whole specimens were flat-mounted on glass slides and processed for interference and phase-contrast microscopy, cell viability assay, and immunocytochemistry. Results: Mean cell viability percentage was higher in MP than in vitreomacular traction syndrome. Two cell distribution patterns were found. Anti-CD163 labeling presented predominantly in MP with complete posterior vitreous detachment. CD45 expression was similar in all groups of diagnosis. Anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) labeling was found in MP irrespective of the extent of posterior vitreous detachment. Alpha-SMA (alpha-smooth muscle actin) labeling was mainly presented in MP with incomplete posterior vitreous detachment and in vitreomacular traction syndrome. Simultaneous antibody labeling included GFAP/CD45, GFAP/CD163, CD163/CD45, and CD163/alpha-SMA. Conclusion: Hyalocytes constitute a major cell type of epiretinal cell proliferation in eyes with MP and vitreomacular traction syndrome. Glial cells, notably retinal Muller cells, are involved as well. It appears that transdifferentiation of cells in vitreomacular traction might be more frequent than previously thought and that those cells possess a greater variability of immunocytochemical properties than expected. RETINA 33:77-88, 2013

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Publisher's Version
• Keywords: cell viability; flat-mount preparation; glial cells; hyalocytes; immunocytochemistry; internal limiting membrane; macular pucker; posterior vitreous detachment; vitreomacular traction
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0275-004X
• Place of Publication: 530 WALNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106-3621 USA
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English