Abstract
Purpose :
To investigate whether ALDH3A1, PRDX2 and keratin are involved in the recurrence of pterygium by comparing their molecular expression in primary and recurrent pterygia using quantitative immunocytochemistry.
Methods :
Samples of human primary (n=5) and recurrent pterygium (n=5) were taken from consenting patients. Tissue samples were cultured in DMEM-F12 medium using the explant method to stimulate fibroblast cell proliferation. After 80% cell confluency was achieved, cells were trypsinized and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and stained for ALDH3A1, PRDX2 and pan-keratin. Images were taken with a fluorescence microscope using the same exposure time for each biomarker. Molecular expression was determined by fluorescence intensity using the Image J analysis software. Numerical outcome was measured in mean grey value units (GV). Statistical analysis of the results was performed with a two-tailed Student’s t-test.
Results :
Immunoreactivity was more intense in recurrent pterygium for ALDH3A1, PRDX2 and keratin compared to primary tissue samples. ALDH3A1 was the only biomarker that had a statistically significant increase. Samples stained for ALDH3A1 had a mean fluorescence intensity of 29.09 gv vs. 56.72 gv for primary vs. recurrent tissues (p=0.013). Samples stained for PRDX2 had a mean intensity of 29.43 gv vs. 44.28 gv for primary vs. recurrent tissues (p=0.113). Samples stained for keratin had a mean intensity of 39.42 gv vs. 47.57 gv for primary vs. recurrent tissues (p=0.505).
Conclusions :
The elevated immunoreactivity of ALDH3A1, PRDX2 and keratin in cultured fibroblasts from recurrent pterygia suggests that these proteins might play an important role in the recurrence of pterygium. Further studies are required to confirm this elevated immunoreactivity.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.