[Changes in transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor in the optic nerve head in monkey experimental glaucoma].
OBJECTIVE
Remodeling of the extracellular matrix occurs in the lamina cribrosa in progressed glaucomatous optic nerve damage including disc cupping. We examined immunohistochemical changes in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in the optic nerve heads in experimentally induced glaucoma.


METHODS
We used 3 cynomolgus and 2 Japanese monkey eyes. Glaucoma was induced by repeated argon laser photocoagulation of the chamber angle. Eyes were enucleated after disc cupping had formed 3 to 5 months after treatment. The optic nerve head was examined for expression of TGF beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3, and PDGF A and B in frozen sections and by the biotin-ExtrAvidin-Alkali Phosphatase method.


RESULTS
Normal monkey eyes showed TGF beta 1, beta 2, and beta 3, and PDGF A, and B in the optic nerve head including the nerve fibers, glial cells, and vascular cells. Glaucomatous eyes showed stronger expression of TGF beta 1 and beta 2 in the glial cells around the lamina cribrosa. The staining intensities for TGF beta 3, PDGF A, and PDGF B were the same as in normal eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Eyes with experimental glaucoma showed higher expressions of TGF beta 1 and beta 2 around the lamina cribrosa. This finding may show upregulation of extracellular matrix production as related to remodeling of the lamina cribrosa in glaucoma.
Fukuchi
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Ueda
J
J
Hanyu
T
T
Abe
H
H
Sawaguchi
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008251:Macaca; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000737:chemistry*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta