Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in plaques of human anterior subcapsular cataracts and membranes of posterior capsule opacification.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA expression and immunohistochemical characteristics of anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) formation as well as posterior capsule opacification (PCO) development (expression of type I collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin and tenascin) under in vivo and under in vitro conditions in human and porcine lens epithelial cells.


METHODS
CTGF mRNA expression was investigated using in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. Expression of type I collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin and tenascin was detected by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
CTGF mRNA was expressed in human cataractous plaques of ASC and human PCO membranes, and appeared simultanously with the expression of type I collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin and tenascin.


CONCLUSIONS
The predominant expression of CTGF mRNA in human ASC and human PCO membranes suggests a significant role of CTGF in the pathological course of these ocular disorders.
Wunderlich
K
K
University Eye Clinic, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Pech
M
M
Eberle
A N
AN
Mihatsch
M
M
Flammer
J
J
Meyer
P
P
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019063:Tenascin / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D006133:Growth Substances; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019063:Tenascin; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D003094:Collagen