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Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:1296-1299 doi:10.1136/bjo.83.11.1296
  • Scientific correspondence

Detection of cytokine mRNA production in infiltrating cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

  1. I A El-Ghrablya,
  2. Harminder S Duaa,
  3. Gavin M Orra,
  4. David Fischerc,
  5. Patrick J Tighea,b
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham, bDepartment of Immunology, cWills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, USA
  1. I A El-Ghrably, Department of Ophthalmology B Floor, South Block, University Hospital, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH
  • Accepted 28 July 1999

Abstract

AIMS To determine whether the infiltrating cells in the vitreous and subretinal fluid of patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) express messenger RNA for various cytokines found in this condition.

METHODS The presence of mRNA coding for HPRT, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNFα was investigated in 20 vitreous and subretinal fluid (SRF) samples from patients with PVR by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 16 samples from patients with retinal detachment and macular holes were used as controls.

RESULTS HPRT was detected in all samples of PVR and in 11 (69%) control cases. Patients with PVR demonstrated mRNA for the cytokines tested more often than controls. The difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION The presence of mRNA encoding for IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNFα is significantly detected by RT-PCR in vitreous and SRF samples of patients with PVR, indicating local production of these cytokines by vitreous and SRF cells.

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