ABSTRACT

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is characterized by intraocular fibrovascular proliferation with preretinal membranes formation and subsequent traccional retinal detachment (RD) and vitreous blooding. Although a considerable number of morfological studies have been carried out, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recently, humoral factors and extracellular matrix have been found implicated in angiogenesis and its formation. We performed a immunocytochemical study on 18 fibrovascular membranes obtained by vitrectomy in diabetics eyes to identify Laminin (LN) and Fibronectin (FN). Both glycoproteins present a vascular localization; FN in a luminal disposition, and LN in a basal distribution pattern respect to the capillar endothelial cells. Macrophages have also been detected, suggering that intraocular proliferative process may be considered a modified kind of wound repair.

Key words:
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy; Retinal detachment; Fibronectin; Laminin; Macrophages; immunocytochemistry