Expression of VEGF-A, Otx homeobox and p53 family genes in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe inflammatory complication of retinal detachment. Pathological epiretinal membranes grow on the retina surface leading to contraction, and surgery fails in 5% to 10% of the cases. We evaluated the expression of VEGF-A, Otx1, Otx2, Otx3, and p53 family members from PVR specimens to correlate their role in inducing or preventing the pathology.

METHODS:

Twelve retinal samples were taken from patients affected by PVR during therapeutic retinectomies in vitreoretinal surgery. Gene expression was evaluated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analysis and immunohistochemistry, using four healthy human retinae as control.

RESULT:

Controls showed basal expression of all genes. PVR samples showed little or no expression of Otx1 and variable expression of VEGF-A, Otx2, Otx3, p53, and p63 genes. Significant correlation was found among VEGF-A, Otx2, p53, and p63 and between Otx1 and Otx3.

CONCLUSIONS:

Otx homeobox, p53 family, and VEGF-A genes are expressed in PVR human retina. We individuated two possible pathways (VEGF-A, Otx2, p53, p63 and Otx1 and Otx3) involved in PVR progression that could influence in different manners the course of the pathology. Individuating the genetic pathways of PVR represents a novel approach to PVR therapies.

• Authors: Claudio Azzolini, Ilaria Stefania Pagani, Cristina Pirrone, Davide Borroni, Simone Donati, Muna Al Oum, Diana Pigni, Anna Maria Chiaravalli, Riccardo Vinciguerra, Francesca Simonelli, Giovanni Porta
• Journal: Mediators of inflammation (Mediators Inflamm) Vol. 2013 Pg. 857380 ( 2013) ISSN: 1466-1861 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24227910 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• OTX2 protein, human
• Otx Transcription Factors
• TP53 protein, human
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
• VEGFA protein, human
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation
• Genes, Homeobox
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Otx Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Retina (metabolism)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (metabolism)
• Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative (genetics, metabolism)
• Vitreous Body (metabolism)