[The immunohistochemical changes of TGF-beta, type I and III collagen in corneal healing after photorefractive keratectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the immunohistochemical expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), type I and III collagen in monkey corneal healing after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and find whether TGF-beta is involved in the process of corneal healing and correlated with the syntheses of type I and III collagen.


METHODS
Three rhesus monkeys (6 eyes) were operated for myopic ablation of 10.0 diopters. The depth of ablation was 103 microm. Microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry were performed at 1, 3 and 6 months after PRK.


RESULTS
TGF-beta staining was positive in the epithelium and a few fibroblasts under the epithelium at one month after the operation. The staining was negative at 6 months and in the control specimens. Postoperatively, type I and III collagen stainings were evident at 1, 3 and 6 months. Type I collagen staining was positive and type III was negative in the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta is involved in the corneal healing after PRK, and perhaps correlated with the syntheses of type I and III collagen.
Qi
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025.
Lian
J
J
Wang
K
K
Wang
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta