Abstract
Purpose: :
To elucidate the pathways of genetically programmed cell death (apoptosis) of corneas with Fuchs' dystrophy.
Methods: :
Sixteen corneal buttons (14 patients, 42.8% males, age 72.3 ± 11.3 years) with Fuchs' dystrophy and 4 buttons (4 patients, 50% males, age 67.2 ± 15.9 years) from enucleated eyes with chorioideal melanoma (controls) were analysed histologically. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to investigate the expression of p63, p27, survivin, CD95, cathepsin, bax and bcl–2.
Results: :
P63 (62.5 / 100%) and P27 (100% both) were positive, bcl–2 (0% both) and bax (6.6 / 0%) were negative in both Fuchs' dystrophy and control group corneas. Survivin (46.1 / 0%) and CD95 (57.1 / 33.3%) positivity was detected more in Fuchs’dystrophy than in normal corneas. Cathepsin was expressed more frequently in Fuchs’ dystrophy corneas (90.9%) compared to controls (75%), however with weaker immunohistochemical reaction.
Conclusions: :
The genetically programmed cell death is CD95 dependent and not related to the P53 and cathepsin way in Fuchs' dystrophy corneas. Detailed regulatory mechanisms remain to be clarified.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • apoptosis/cell death • cornea: epithelium