Abstract
Purpose: :
The purpose of this study was to classify the pigment-containing cells (PCC) in surgically excised choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) and to investigate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity.
Methods: :
Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded sections of surgically excised CNVMs from eight eyes (eight patients) with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Light microscopic immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect Cytokeratin, CD68, and VEGF.
Results: :
PCCs in CNVMs were classified into three groups. PCCs in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) layer were Cytokeratine-positive, CD68-negative, and VEGF-negative. PCCs on the suface of CNVMs were Cytokeratine-negative, CD68-negative, and VEGF-positive. The rest of PCCs were Cytokeratin-negative, CD68-positive, and VEGF-negative.
Conclusions: :
We have classified the immunohistchemical staining pattern of PCCs in surgically excised CNVMs. PCCs in the RPE layer were Cytokeratine- positive, and VEGF-negative. The rest of PCCs in CNVMs were clearly Cytokeratine-negative and were separated CD68-negative cells from CD68- positive cells. CD68-negative cells were VEGF-positive and located on the suface of CNVMs. CD68-positive cells were VEGF-negative and seen adjacent to the RPE layer or CD68-positive cells. RPE in CNVMs may loose characteristics of epithelium and perhaps become VEGF-positive or CD68-positive according to their roles.
Keywords: age-related macular degeneration • retinal pigment epithelium • choroid: neovascularization