Effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on stromal haze following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been shown to affect wound repair. Anti-transforming growth factor beta 1 antibodies have been shown to neutralize its activity.


METHODS
Seventeen New Zealand White rabbits underwent unilateral photorefractive keratectomy followed by corneal staining with dichlorotriazinyl fluorescein. Three groups received topical transforming growth factor beta 1: 1 microgram/ml, 10 micrograms/ml, and 100 micrograms/ml; one group topical anti-transforming growth factor beta antibody (200 micrograms/ml); and a control group vehicle only. Corneal haze was graded from 0 to 4, weekly. Rabbits were sacrificed at 5 weeks and histopathological analysis and fluorescence microscopy performed.


RESULTS
All treated eyes developed haze and had epithelial erosions. No statistically significant differences in haze score were seen among individual treatment groups (Kruskal Wallis p > 0.05). The anti-transforming growth factor beta antibody group had less haze than all other groups at every week after the first. Comparing all transforming growth factor beta 1 treated eyes as one group to the antibody group, significantly less haze was seen at weeks 3 and 4 in the antibody treated group (p = 0.028 and 0.013, respectively). This study is limited by small group size and further studies are needed to confirm these results.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta may be involved in stromal haze formation, and topical anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody may help reduce the development of stromal haze.
Myers
J S
JS
Wills Eye University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Gomes
J A
JA
Siepser
S B
SB
Rapuano
C J
CJ
Eagle
R C
RC
Thom
S B
SB
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta