Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the involvement of adult bone marrow derived progenitor cells in wound healing after pterygium excision. Methods: Four days after pterygium excision using the conventional bare sclera technique with the application of a temporary amniotic membrane patch(TAMP), the amniotic membrane(AM) was removed and sectioned. The sectioned specimens were analyzed immunohistochemically using the progenitor cell markers, CD34, c–kit, STRO–1 and AC133 to determine the expressions of participating cells. Results: Strong immunoreactivities to CD34, c–kit, STRO–1, and AC133 were found in the stromal side of the removed AM. CD34 positive cells were observed among some round or spindle–shaped mononuclear cells on the stromal side of AM. Some CD34 positive large, round or spindle–shaped cells were formed clusters resembling small vessels in some regions of the amniotic membrane. C–kit was expressed in the epithelium that had grown over the amniotic membrane, and in spindle or round mononuclear cells in the stroma. STRO–1 was expressed by many stellate to spindle–shaped fibroblast like cells, and A C133 was expressed in some round and ovoid cells on the stromal side. Conclusions: This investigation is the first to identify the involvement of progenitor cells in wound healing after pterygium excision by analyzing temporary amniotic membrane patch immunoreactivites. Adult bone marrow derived progenitor cells are involved in the wound healing process after pterygium excision.
Keywords: Pterygium • wound healing • cytology