Purpose
Pterygia was traditionally regarded as a degenerative disease, but some tumor-like features, such as a propensity to invade normal tissue, high recurrence rates following resection, and the coexistence with secondary premalignant lesions, suggest that pterygia might be a premalignant tissue.The WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) gene was recently identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene, thus, in this study, we investigated WWOX expressions in pterygium.
Methods
Pterygium tissues were obtained from patients (n=16, primary=8, recurrent=8) who received surgical excisions. Each tissue was further divided into head and body region. WWOX expressions were examined by immunohistochemistry, western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. For comparison, normal superior temporal bulbar conjunctivas were used as controls.
Results
Up-regulation of WWOXs and Tyr33 phosphorylation WWOXs was observed in the head region of all pterygium specimens. In the head and body of pterygium, WWOXs expressions were significantly different from controls. Additionally, WWOX expression is higher in the recurrent pterygia than in the primary pterygia.
Conclusions
Increased WWOX expression, especially in the head region, is an up-regulation in response to the invasiveness of the pterygium. Our result indicated that WWOX might play a role in pterygium progression and recurrence.