Detection of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Subretinal Fluid following Retinal Detachment: Possible Contribution to Subretinal Scar Formation, Preliminary Results

Abstract

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been shown to be substantially involved in various processes of fibrosis. Herein we report on the presence of CTGF in the subretinal fluid (SRF) of patients with retinal detachment. Methods: Samples of SRF were collected from 10 patients during retinal detachment surgery. Specific ELISA analysis was performed with goat IgG against human CTGF. Results: CTGF was above the detection limit of the assay in all samples. On average the concentration of CTGF in SRF was 10 ng/ml (SD 3.7, range 3.7–15.7 ng/ml). There was an increase in the CTGF concentration with time between the diagnosis of retinal detachment and surgery (correlation r = 0.67). Conclusion: CTGF appears to be a constant component of the fluid accumulating in the subretinal space after retinal detachment. The origin of subretinal CTGF and its physiological importance is still unclear. The known effects of CTGF, however, suggest that it may be involved in both the physiological processes of wound healing in the subretinal space and also in the pathological events such as subretinal fibrosis. The observed increase in CTGF concentration with time suggest that CTGF plays a role in the pathophysiology of subretinal scarring in cases of delayed retinal surgery.