TRANSFORMING-GROWTH-FACTOR BETA(2) IN THE VITREOUS IN PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY

Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that transforming growth factor beta(2) (TGF-beta(2)) is involved in the cause of proliferative diabet ic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: We assayed TGF-beta(2) levels in the vi treous of patients with PDR and other vitreoretinal disorders. Forty-n ine vitreous specimens were obtained from eyes of patients with PDR un dergoing vitrectomy, and 19 vitreous specimens from nondiabetic subjec ts served as controls. We assessed TGF-beta(2) levels using an enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. Both mature and total TGF-beta(2) levels w ere quantified. Results: The mean (+/- SD) total levels of TGF-beta(2) were 2634 (+/- 1652) pg/mL in the patients with PDR and 1305 (+/- 972 ) pg/mL in controls. The mean (+/- SD) levels of mature TGF-beta(2) we re 244 (+/- 316) pg/mL in patients with PDR and 79 (+/- 81)pg/mL in co ntrols. Total and mature TGF-beta(2) levels were significantly greater in patients with PDR (total TGF-beta(2), P < .001; mature TGF-beta(2) , P < .01). Mature TGF-beta(2 )levels were higher in the vitreous of p atients who had severe fibrous proliferation Conclusion: The results i ndicate increased levels of both total and mature TGF-beta(2 )in the v itreous of patients with PDR, suggesting that TGF-beta(2) plays an imp ortant role in the pathogenesis of PDR.