title: Connective tissue growth factor in retrocorneal membranes and corneal scars.
abstract: We studied the localization and distribution of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in corneal scar tissue and membranes using in situ hybridization in 8 corneas from keratoplasty and 4 normal corneas. Identification of the cells was done with immunohistochemistry for SM-alpha-actin, vimentin, and Lu5. CTGF mRNA was found in activated corneal fibroblasts in 7 of 8 scars, 7 of 8 retrocorneal membranes and 2 subepithelial membranes, whereas the control corneas showed no CTGF mRNA expression. Vimentin was positive in all scars, retrocorneal and subepithelial membranes, SM-alpha-actin in 7 of 8 scars and 6 of 8 retrocorneal membranes. These results suggest that CTGF plays a crucial role in corneal wound healing and membrane formation.
authors.affiliation: University Eye Clinic and Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wunderlich
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Senn
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pech
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flammer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D015415:Biomarkers; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014746:Vimentin; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor