RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Proliferative retinal diseases: myofibroblasts cause chronic vitreoretinal traction.
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 550
OP 552
DO 10.1136/bjo.76.9.550
VO 76
IS 9
A1 R Walshe
A1 P Esser
A1 P Wiedemann
A1 K Heimann
YR 1992
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/76/9/550.abstract
AB Myofibroblasts are contractile cells having features intermediate between those of the fibroblast and smooth muscle. Myofibroblasts in preretinal membranes may cause retinal traction in proliferative retinal diseases. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of a chronically contractile subpopulation of myofibroblasts in pre-retinal membranes. Apha smooth muscle actin or desmin, both markers of the myogenically differentiated and chronically contractile subpopulation could be detected in a large majority of the examined membranes. Our findings may serve to explain the cellular basis of vitreoretinal traction in proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.