gms | German Medical Science

102. Jahrestagung der DOG

Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft e. V.

23. bis 26.09.2004, Berlin

VEGF in pterygium: hints to a limbal origin

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author F. Paulsen - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle; Departments of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel
  • U. Schaudig - University Eye Hospital, Hamburg-Eppendorf
  • R. Mentlein - Departments of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel
  • T. Pufe - Departments of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel
  • K. Recker - Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle
  • B. Nölle - Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel
  • K. Al-Samir - University Eye Hospital, Hamburg-Eppendorf
  • G. Geerling - University Eye Hospital, Lübeck
  • A. Thale - Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel
  • M. Gebardt - Departments of Anatomy, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel

Evidenzbasierte Medizin - Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. 102. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft. Berlin, 23.-26.09.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. Doc04dogDO.07.01

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dog2004/04dog062.shtml

Published: September 22, 2004

© 2004 Paulsen et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective

Pterygia are invasive, proliferative fibrovascular growths of unknown etiology. This study evaluates the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in the pathogenesis of pterygium.

Methods

Investigations were done by means of RT-PCR for VEGF splice variants and VEGFRs, real-time RT-PCR, Western-blot analysis, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and cell culture experiments.

Results

In analysis of samples from pterygia patients as well as normal conjunctiva VEGF121 and VEGF165 were identified as the only VEGF splice forms expressed. In addition to VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 could be detected by RT-PCR and Western-blot in pterygium and conjunctiva and immunostained within the epithelium of pterygia and also conjunctiva and on intrapterygial and intraconjunctival endothelial cells. Real-time RT-PCR revealed more VEGFR1 and 2 mRNA in conjunctiva samples as in pterygium samples but a comparable amount between limbus and pterygia samples. ELISA analysis showed higher VEGF levels in pterygia when compared with conjunctiva, cornea or lens but comparable levels in limbal samples. Cell cultures revealed no effect of VEGF on the proliferation of human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells but a proliferative effect on human endothelial cells. TNFα stimulated the VEGF synthesis of corneal epithelial cells but not of conjunctival epithelial cells.

Conclusions

The results strongly support the presumption that pterygia arise from limbal epithelial cells and that human conjunctiva is not a suitable control for the analysis of pterygia. Moreover, the results suggest that VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pterygia.

Supported by DFG grant PA 738/6-1.