Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the pathogenesis of keratoconus through differentially expressed genes in human keratocyte of keratoconus.
Methods: :
Total RNAs extracted from primary cultured keratocytes in corneal of normal and keratoconus. Differentially expressed genes were screened by ACP–based PCR method using DEG kits. The differential expression of DEG was confirmed by RT–PCR using each gene specific primer pair.
Results: :
Over–expressed genes were nine and under–expressed genes were twenty–two. Of these, differential expressions of bone morphogenetic protein 4(BMP4), actin alpha 2, cofilin 1, C10 gene, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3(TIMP3) were verified and confirmed by RT–PCR. All confirmed genes were significantly increased or decreased in keratoconus sample and concerned with apoptosis, compared with normal keratocyte.
Conclusions: :
The identified differentially expressed genes seem to be important role in the mechanism of keratoconus, and apoptosis may be attributed to the underlying stromal keratocyte.
Keywords: keratoconus • gene/expression • apoptosis/cell death