Expression Study Of E-cadherin And N-cadherin In Human Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE: To observe histopathological changes in the ERM,and the difference in expression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the epiretinal membrane (ERM) of patients with retinal detachment (RD) or diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to explore the cell source of ERM and the relationship between cadherin and the proliferation of ERM.METHODS: 1.Twenty-seven epiretinal membranes were surgically removed by vitrectomy in the patients with rehrmatogenous retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy. And there were 6 tissues removed from eye ball in keratoplasty used as controls.2.All specimens were observed by HE staining techniques and immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: 1. In HE sections, we cuold find the RPE cell were ovoid or irregular in shape in the normal retina. But in the RD group and DR group, there were many kinds of cells as fibroblasts, macrophages, lymphocytes, collagen fibers and matrix.2. Inmmunohistochemistry section:1). CK18 was expressed in RPE layer of normal retina ,and in the both test groups too. 2). E-cadherin was expressed in RPE layer of normal retina ,and in the both test groups too. 3). N-cadherin were not expressed in the RPE layer of normal retinal. While in the team of RD, the expressed of N-cadherin increased and it was higher than the level of other two teams.CONCLUSIONS: 1. The RPE cell may be involved in the development of ERM. 2). E-cadherin had no obvious correlation with migration and adhesion of RPE cells in ERM. 3). N-cadherin may play a crucial role in migration and adhesion of RPE cells in ERM.