December 2002
Volume 43, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   December 2002
Gene and Protein Expression of ET-A and ET-B Receptor in Normal and Vascularized Human Corneas
A Kuhlmann; C Cursiefen; K Amann; M Küchle; U Schlötzer-Schrehardt
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • A Kuhlmann
    Department of Ophthalmology University of Erlangen-Nuernberg Germany
  • C Cursiefen
    Department of Ophthalmology University of Erlangen-Nuernberg Germany
  • K Amann
    Department of Pathology University of Erlangen-Nuernberg Germany
  • M Küchle
    Department of Ophthalmology University of Erlangen-Nuernberg Germany
  • U Schlötzer-Schrehardt
    Department of Ophthalmology University of Erlangen-Nuernberg Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   A. Kuhlmann, None; C. Cursiefen, None; K. Amann, None; M. Küchle, None; U. Schlötzer-Schrehardt, None. Grant Identification: IZKF Erlangen(B13)
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science December 2002, Vol.43, 3199. doi:
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      A Kuhlmann, C Cursiefen, K Amann, M Küchle, U Schlötzer-Schrehardt; Gene and Protein Expression of ET-A and ET-B Receptor in Normal and Vascularized Human Corneas . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2002;43(13):3199.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: Endothelin (ET) A and B receptors are targets of ET-1 which is a potent mitogen for endothelial cells and an inducer of angiogenesis. ET-1 has been detected in newly formed pathologic blood vessels in human corneas. We therefore analyzed mRNA and protein expression of ET-A and ET-B receptors in normal non-vascularized and vascularized human corneas. Methods: Using in situ-hybridisation, indirect immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence (with antibodies against CD 31), we investigated ET-A and ET-B receptor mRNA and protein expression in normal corneas, in corneas with keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, and in vascularized corneas secondary to graft rejection, trauma and herpetic keratitis. Results: Normal human corneas displayed ET-A and ET-B receptor mRNA and protein expression in the basal layers of the corneal epithelium and corneal endothelium. Whereas ET-A receptor was found predominantly in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, keratocytes and endothelial cells, ET-B receptor showed a nuclear staining pattern in epithelial and endothelial cells. The keratocytes showed almost no reactivity for ET-B receptors. Expression of ET-A and ET-B receptor mRNA and protein was more pronounced in the epithelium of vascularized compared to non-vascularized human corneas. The keratocytes of vascularized corneas showed a significantly increased ET-B receptor expression. In addition, ET-A and ET-B receptor mRNA and protein could be localized to endothelial cells of newly formed vessels by double labelling with anti-CD 31 antibodies. Conclusion: Expression of ET-A and ET-B receptors in endothelial cells of newly formed pathologic human corneal blood vessel as well as the upregulation of both receptors in the epithelium and ET-B in stromal keratocytes of vascularized corneas indicate involvement of ET-receptors in human corneal neovascularisation. Thus, ET-A and ET-B receptors may represent additional targets for an angiostatic therapy against corneal neovascularisation using well established receptor antagonists.

Keywords: 434 immunohistochemistry • 371 cornea: endothelium • 372 cornea: epithelium 
© 2002, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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