Abstract
Purpose :
We previously reported gene expression profiles in pterygium using gene microarray analysis, and human primary corneal epithelial cells (HCEpC) and conjunctival fibroblast cells (HConF) showed increased expressions of pterygium-related genes by UV stress; i.e. matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), keratin 24 (KRT24), alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6). [ARVO2017]
In this study we examined the effect of UVB exposure on expression of MMP9 and KRT24 in human primary pterygium fibroblasts cells (HPF), and change in pterygium-related genes by suppression of MMP9 gene expression.
Methods :
HPF were derived from human pterygium conjunctival tissue cultured in keratinocyte growth medium or fibroblast growth medium (FM). Expression levels of MMP9 and KRT24 in HPF were measured using real-time RT-PCR 2 days after exposure to UVB (0, 50, 100, 200 mJ/cm2). After MMP9 siRNA (si-MMP9) was transfected into HPF, change in MMP9, KRT24, αSMA, and Prdx6 expression levels were examined by real-time RT-PCR.
Results :
As KRT24, which is expressed in HCEpC, was absent from HPF, HPF included fibroblast properties which was grown in FM. In HPF, MMP 9 (p<0.05), αSMA, Prdx6 mRNA expression increased with UVB dose. In HPF transfected with si-MMP9, expression levels of αSMA and Prdx6 were decreased with suppression of MMP9 gene expression.
Conclusions :
Since HPF has properties akin to human pterygium fibroblasts, HPF may be useful in fundamental research of pterygium. Increased expression of MMP9 by UVB irradiation suggests MMP9 may be involved in the onset and progression of UV-related pterygium.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.