Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Activated pterygium fibroblasts secreted some cytokines that may play an important role in pterygium progression. Previously, we showed that pterygium fibroblasts exhibit some characteristics of transformed cells. In this study we further study the cytokines expressed by fibroblasts from primary pterygium and normal conjunctiva both in vitro and in vivo. Methods:Normal conjunctival fibroblasts and pterygium fibroblasts were cultured, then RT-PCR for TGF-B, b-FGF, and PDGF-BB were performed. b-FGF and PDGF-BB in culture supernatant were detected by ELISA. Immunohistochemical staining for PDGF-BB and PDGF-AA were performed using frozen pterygium specimens. Results:The TGF-B and b-FGF mRNA expression were similar in both the normal conjunctival and pterygium fibroblasts; however, only the pterygium fibroblasts expressed PDGF-BB mRNA. ELISA also showed that pterygium fibroblasts secreted PDGF-BB protein. Immunohistochemical staining showed the immunoreactivity of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB in the stromal layer of pterygium specimens. Conclusion:The pterygium but not the normal conjunctival fibroblasts overexpressed PDGF, which may contribute to the transformed nature of pterygium fibroblasts and in turn the pathogenesis of pterygium.
Keywords: 532 Pterygium • 380 cytokines/chemokines • 365 conjunctiva