Lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase in subretinal fluid of detached retinas in humans.

BACKGROUND

The presence of lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), a dominantly brain derived protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with a low concentration in serum, in the subretinal fluid (SRF) of detached retinas, has not been reported. L-PGDS has been demonstrated in the ciliary body and the retinal pigment epithelium in rats.

METHODS

SRF was sampled during surgery (scleral buckling) of rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in 20 eyes. Biochemical and nephelometric analysis for L-PGDS concentration were performed. Albumin concentrations were determined in the same samples.

RESULTS

L-PGDS concentrations in SRF (mean 18.9 mg/L +/- 14.8 mg/L) were markedly higher than the normal L-PGDS concentration in serum (<0.55 mg/L) and appears to decrease with the duration of the retinal detachment (P = 0.0064).

CONCLUSIONS

As the subretinal space is not accessible in attached retinas there are no data on normal levels of L-PGDS in the subretinal space. The L-PGDS concentrations measured in the SRF of detached retinas are on average 34 times higher than normal L-PGDS serum concentration and about in the range of normal L-PGDS CSF concentration (15.3 mg/L). As the concentrations of L-PGDS exceed normal serum levels, a choriocapillary transudation is highly improbable as the source of L-PGDS in SRF of detached retinas.