May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Significance of VEGF in the pathogenesis of pterygium
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • F.P. Paulsen
    Inst of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht Univ of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • M. Gebhardt
    Inst of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht Univ of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • U. Schaudig
    Dep of Ophtalmology,
    UKE Univ of Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • B. Nölle
    Depart. of Ophtalmology, Christian–Albrecht–Univ of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • T. Pufe
    Inst of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht Univ of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • K. Al–Samir
    Depart. of Ophtalmology,
    UKE Univ of Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • G. Geerling
    Depart.of Ophtalmology, UKL Univ of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
  • R. Mentlein
    Inst of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht Univ of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  F.P. Paulsen, None; M. Gebhardt, None; U. Schaudig, None; B. Nölle, None; T. Pufe, None; K. Al–Samir, None; G. Geerling, None; R. Mentlein, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  DFG Grant PA 738/6–1
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 2944. doi:
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      F.P. Paulsen, M. Gebhardt, U. Schaudig, B. Nölle, T. Pufe, K. Al–Samir, G. Geerling, R. Mentlein; Significance of VEGF in the pathogenesis of pterygium . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):2944.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in the pathogenesis of pterygium. Methods: Expression of mRNA for VEGF, its different splice forms and its receptors (VEGFR1 and 2) was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in pterygium and conjunctiva. Deposition of VEGF and VEGFR1 and 2 was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Quantification of VEGFR mRNA was done by real–time RT–PCR, and of VEGF by ELISA in pterygium, conjunctiva, limbus, cornea and lens. The proliferative effects of different tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) concentrations were tested on human corneal epithelial cells, conjunctival epithelial cells and endothelial cells. Results: In analyses of samples from pterygia patients and conjunctiva samples from cadavers, VEGF121 and VEGF165 were identified as the only VEGF splice forms expressed. In addition to VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were detectable by RT–PCR and Western blot in pterygium and conjunctiva and immunostained within the epithelium of pterygia as well as conjunctiva and on intrapterygial and intraconjunctival endothelial cells. Real–time RT–PCR revealed more VEGFR1 and 2 mRNA in conjunctiva samples than in pterygium samples, but comparable amounts in limbus and pterygia samples. ELISA analysis revealed higher VEGF levels in pterygia compared with conjunctiva, cornea and lens, but comparable levels in limbal samples. Cell cultures showed no effects of TNFα on proliferation of human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, but on human endothelial cells. Conclusions:The results strongly support the assumption that pterygia arise from limbal epithelial cells and that human conjunctiva is not a suitable control in analysis of pterygia. Moreover, the results suggest that VEGF does not play such an important role in the pathogenesis of pterygia.

Keywords: Pterygium • neovascularization • conjunctiva 
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