[Pterygium and mast cells--expression of basic fibroblast growth factor increase in mast cells of the pterygium].
We examined the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) protein immunohistochemically, and bFGF specific messenger RNA (bFGF-mRNA) by in situ hybridization in the excised tissue of 5 cases of pterygium and 4 cases of normal conjunctiva. Immunohistochemical staining for bFGF showed strong positive staining in metachromatic mast cells stained with toluidine blue in the pterygium and in normal conjunctival specimens. The mean metachromatic mast cell count in pterygium specimens was increased significantly when compared with normal conjunctiva. In mast cells, bFGF positive rate was 84% in pterygium specimens, and 69% in normal conjunctival specimens. In situ hybridization indicated that the bFGFmRNA is located in most mast cells in pterygium specimens, but in only a few mast cells in normal conjunctival specimens. These results suggest that increased bFGF protein produced and stored by mast cells in the pterygium may contribute to its progression.
Nakagami
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, National Defense Medical College, Saitama-ken, Japan.
Murakami
A
A
Okisaka
S
S
D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000473:pathology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2