mRNA expression of proto-oncogenes and platelet-derived growth factor in proliferative vitreoretinal diseases

Purpose: To detect the expression of mRNA of proto-oncogenes ets-1, c-jun, c-fos, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in proliferative membranes of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferativ e vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods: cDNA was synthesized from mRNA of proliferative membranes from pat ients with PDR, PVR, premacular fibrosis (PMF), acute retinal necrosis (ARN ), and age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Ets-1, c-jun, c-fos, PDGF-A , and PDGF-B cDNA were amplified using reverse transcriptase-polymerase cha in reaction (PCR). Results: Proto-oncogene mRNA was highly expressed in membranes from patient s with severe PDR, grade D PVR. PDGF mRNA was expressed in almost all sampl es. Conclusions: Our results suggest that not only PDGF mRNA was expressed in t he membranes of patients with PDR and PVR, but proto-oncogenes ets-1, c-jun , and c-fos mRNA were also expressed. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2000; 44:308-311 (C) 2000 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.