Purpose: Caveolin-1 has been identified in Müller and pigment cells of rodents, but the distribution of caveolin isoforms has not been studied in the human retina. Since there are no relevant data in humans, we aimed to study the distribution of caveolins in the human retina.
Methods: Our samples were derived from eyes affected by melanoma malignum choroideae that were enucleated. The distribution of the caveolins was examined by immunocytochemistry using isoform-specific antibodies.
Results: In this study we report on the presence of different caveolin isoforms in many cell types of the human retina. These isoforms were present in several regions and layers in the human retina. Centro-peripheral changes have been detected: the distribution altered following the radier direction.
Conclusions: This is the first demonstration of caveolin expression in the human retina. Our data suggest that caveolins play an important role in the function of retinal cells. Our observations refute previous assumptions that there is a shortage of caveolins in the retina. Since the retina contains a number of different neuronal and glial cell types, the caveolin expression of these cells can no longer be a matter of dispute.