AIM:To investigate the expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and the protein products of its target gene vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)epiretinal membranes. METHODS: Totally 26 patients who have been obtained epiretinal membranes(PDRⅤ-Ⅵ)were performed pars- plana vitrectomy. They were removed the epiretinal membrane intraoperation and to observe HIF-1α, VEGF and expression of vascular endothelial marker CD34 in epiretinal membranes through immunohistochemical method. RESULTS:Vascular endothelial cells of PDR expressed HIF-1α in 24 cases(92.3%)and VEGF in 15 cases(57.7%)in membranes, respectively. There were significant correlations between the numbers of blood vessels expressing CD34 and HIF-1α(r=0.556, P=0.028). There were significant correlations between the numbers of blood vessels expressing CD34 and VEGF(r=0.745,P=0.001). CONCLUSION:HIF-1α and VEGF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PDR.
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