Tropoelastin and fibulin overexpression in the subepithelial connective tissue of human pterygium

Consuelo Prez-Rico, Gemma Pascual, Sandra Sotomayor, Mara Ngeles Montes-Molln, Cynthia Trejo, Takako Sasaki, Robert Mecham, Juan Manuel Belln, Julia Bujn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate possible changes in the collagen and elastic components of the subepithelial connective tissue of human pterygium. Design Immunohistochemical study. Methods Immunohistochemical staining using antitropoelastin, anti-fibulin-2, and anti-fibulin-3 antibodies was performed in 10 normal conjunctival and 20 pterygium specimens. Masson trichome staining also was performed to study subepithelial connective tissue. Sirius red staining was used to identify collagen type I and III components. Tropoelastin, fibulin-2, and fibulin-3 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions were analyzed in 9 conjunctival and 12 pterygium specimens by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Results The subepithelial connective tissue and vessels were more predominant in pterygium compared with the normal conjunctival tissue. Amorphous subepithelial zones were observed in the areas of the pterygium tissue, but not in normal conjunctiva. Increased tropoelastin staining was seen in the pterygium tissue with areas of degenerative changes or immature formation of elastic fibers, as well an increase in tropoelastin mRNA, in contrast with fibulin-2 and fibulin-3 messenger levels. Fibulin-2 and fibulin-3 expression was colocalized in the subepithelial connective tissue and was distributed along blood and lymphatic vessels. Collagen type III, an immature form of collagen, was increased in the pathologic samples in association with a tissue remodeling process. Conclusions Elastin metabolism is dysregulated in the pathogenesis of human pterygium with tropoelastin, fibulin-2, and fibulin-3 overexpression in the subepithelial connective tissue.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-52
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican journal of ophthalmology
Volume151
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011

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