AIM:To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor(VEGF)and its receptors in vitreous of patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to discuss its role in the development of DR.

METHODS: Selected 13 patients(16 eyes)with DR and 15 healthy people(15 eyes), the expression of VEGF and its receptors(fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, Flt-1 and kinase insert domain containing receptor, KDR)were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in vitreous. The levels of VEGF, the Flt-1 and KDR in vitreous of patients with DR were examined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).

RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR in vitreous vessel membrane of patients with DR was increased significantly. And the levels of VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR in vitreous of patients with DR were obviously higher than that in the control group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: VEGF, Flt-1 and KDR were widely expressed in vitreous of patients with DR, and were positively related to micro-angiogenesis of DR patients. It proved that VEGF and its receptors played important roles in the occurrence and development of DR.