Abstract
Purpose. To determine the distribution of transforming growth factor type beta (TGF-β) in the anterior segment of the human eye. This knowledge is important because TGF-β may regulate various physiologic responses in the anterior segment by controlling cell proliferation and differentiation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix composition. Methods. Immunohistochemical methods were used to localize the β1, β2, and β3 isoforms of TGF-β in the anterior segment of the human eye. Results. Eight of eight eyes (six eye bank specimens and two eyes enucleated because of choroidal melanoma) exhibited staining for at least one of the TGF-β isoforms. TGF-β1 was found in superficial limbal epithelial cells (four of eight eyes) and in the stroma proximal to the ciliary processes (seven of eight eyes). TGF-β2 was found in superficial limbal epithelial cells (six of eight eyes), the conjunctival stroma (eight of eight eyes), in the ciliary processes (three of eight eyes), and in a diffuse distribution in the region of the radial and circular muscles of the ciliary body (eight of eight eyes). In addition, TGF-β2 was found in the stroma adjacent to the pigmented epithelium in the pars plana (eight of eight eyes). TGF-β3 was found in white blood cells in one of eight specimens; otherwise it was not found in the anterior segment. The corneal stroma, corneal endothelium, trabecular meshwork, iris, and ciliary epithelia did not exhibit immunoreactivity with the antibodies used in this study. Conclusion. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 have a distinct and specific distribution in the anterior segment of the adult human eye.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-30 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- ciliary body
- human anterior segment
- immunohistochemistry
- limbus
- transforming growth factor beta