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Br J Ophthalmol 1997;81:154-162 doi:10.1136/bjo.81.2.154
  • Original Article
    • Laboratory science

Increased expression of angiogenic growth factors in age-related maculopathy

  1. Mike Kliffena,
  2. Hari S Sharmab,
  3. Cornelia M Mooya,c,
  4. Sonja Kerkvlietc,
  5. Paulus T V M de Jongd
  1. aInstitute of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands , bInstitute of Pharmacology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands , cInstitute of Pathology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands , dNetherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
  1. Dr M Kliffen, Department of Ophthalmic-Pathology, Hoboken Ee 993, Erasmus University, PO Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
  • Accepted 4 October 1996

Abstract

AIMS/BACKGROUND The late stages of age-related maculopathy (ARM), especially neovascular macular degeneration (ARMD), can severely affect central vision and are the main cause of blindness in the elderly in the Western world. It has been shown that angiogenic growth factors are present in neovascular membranes in ARMD. However, it is not known if angiogenic growth factors play a role in the onset of neovascularisation.

METHODS In order to elucidate the involvement of angiogenic growth factors in the initiation of neovascularisation in early stages of ARM, the expression patterns of VEGF, TGF-β, b-FGF, and PDGF-AA on 18 human maculae with ARM, and on 11 control specimens were investigated immunohistochemically.

RESULTS A significantly increased expression of VEGF (p=0.00001) and TGF-β (p=0.019) was found in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of maculae with ARM compared with control maculae. Furthermore, an increased expression of VEGF and PDGF was found in the outer nuclear layer of maculae with ARM.

CONCLUSION These results demonstrate an increased expression of VEGF in the RPE, and in the outer nuclear layer in maculae with ARM, that could be involved in the pathogenesis of neovascular macular degeneration. Furthermore, enhanced TGF-β expression in the RPE cells of maculae with early stages of ARM was shown.

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