[The abnormal expression of epidermal growth factor receptor family in pterygium].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of type 1 growth factor receptor family [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2 and ErbB3] by the epithelium in pterygium so as to understand the pathogenesis of this disorder.


METHODS
The immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting were performed in 15 patients with primary pterygium, compared to normal conjunctival epithelium, to determine the expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 proteins.


RESULTS
The EGFR was present at the basal cells while the ErbB2 and ErbB3 were expressed by the superficial cells in normal conjunctival epithelium in immunofluorescent staining. Of 15 pterygia, 11 pterygia expressed the stains of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 in the full thickness of epithelium and with stronger staining compared to the control group, 4 of them showed the same staining pattern as that in the normal conjunctiva. Compared to normal conjunctiva, the stronger density of protein bands of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 was also demonstrated by western blotting in 11 pterygia with strong staining of these antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 is increased in pterygium, showing that the pterygium is a disorder with proliferation. The abnormal expression of EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3 by epithelium and their communicating with cytokines at stroma in pterygium may be one of the key pathogenetic factors in this disorder.
Liu
Z
Z
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China. zuguol@gzsums.edu.cn
Xie
Y
Y
Zhang
M
M
Pflugfelder
S C
SC
D000328:Adult; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3