Expression of sex steroid hormone receptors in human cornea.
OBJECTIVE
Previously we reported the occurrence of estrogen receptor alpha (ER beta), estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse corneas. The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of various sex steroid hormone receptors, including ER alpha, progesterone receptor (PR) and AR, in human corneas.


METHODS
We used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to look for sex hormone receptor mRNAs (ER alpha, PR and AR) in human corneal epithelial cells obtained at autopsy. Next, using an immunocytochemical technique, we localized these receptors in donor human corneas.


RESULTS
mRNAs encoding all receptors tested for were found in corneal epithelial cells obtained from male and female donor eyes. Immunocytochemical examination revealed that the receptors were located in the nuclei of corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Since receptors for both male and female sex hormones are present in human corneas of both genders, we postulate that the receptors may influence the biological functions of corneal cells through direct interaction with specific hormones.
Suzuki
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan. tsuzuki@ophth.kpu-m.ac.jp
Kinoshita
Y
Y
Tachibana
M
M
Matsushima
Y
Y
Kobayashi
Y
Y
Adachi
W
W
Sotozono
C
C
Kinoshita
S
S
D000368:Aged; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone