Verteporfin photodynamic therapy induced apoptosis in choroidal neovascular membranes. Issue 8 (13th April 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petermeier, K; Tatar, O; Inhoffen, W; Völker, M; Lafaut, B A; Henke-Fahle, S; Gelisken, F; Ziemssen, F; Bopp, S; Bartz-Schmidt, K U; Grisanti, S
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 90:Issue 8(2006)
• Page Start: 1034
• Page End: 1039
• Publication Date: 2006-04-13
• Subjects: AMD, age related macular degeneration -- CNV, choroidal neovascular membranes -- EC, endothelial cells -- FA, fluorescein angiography -- PDT, photodynamic therapy -- RPE, retinal pigment epithelium -- TUNEL, TdT mediated dUTP nick end labelling; verteporfin -- age related macular degeneration -- apoptosis -- choroidal neovascular membranes -- photodynamic therapy; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2006.090852
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To evaluate the impact of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the induction of apoptosis in choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) secondary to age related macular degeneration. Methods: Retrospective review of 22 surgically excised CNV. 12 of these patients had been treated with PDT 3–146 days previously. Apoptotic cells were detected with the TUNEL technique and compared to the expression of CD34 (endothelial cells, EC), CD105 (activated endothelial cells), Ki-67 (proliferation marker), and cytokeratin18 (retinal pigment epithelial cells, RPE). Results: CNV excised 3 days after PDT were characterised both by collapsed and patent vessels. The EC displayed a statistical significant positive TUNEL reaction when compared to the remaining treated CNV (p<0.001) and untreated CNV (P = 0.002). The proliferative activity was reduced. CNV excised 1–5 months after PDT displayed a patent vascularisation and high proliferative activity. All membranes either treated or untreated disclosed only sporadic TUNEL positive cells within the stroma and the RPE. Conclusions: Verteporfin PDT leads to selective and effective damage of EC within CNV. Both patent and occluded vessels were lined by apoptotic EC. This finding and the increased expression of proliferation marker at later time points suggest that revascularisation after PDT is caused by angiogenesis rather than recanalisation.