The changes of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1 and basic FGF messenger RNA expression in rabbit cornea after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanism of haze formation and investigate the expression changes of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta 1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA in corneal epithelium and stroma after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Sixteen white rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, and PRK was performed on each eye of 12 rabbits. The haze formation was examined under a slit-lamp microscope at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd month after PRK, and the expressions of TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1 and bFGF mRNA were detected with in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
The corneal haze formed at the 1st month after PRK. The most prominent haze formation was observed at the 2nd month, and declined gradually at the 3rd month after ablation. TGF-alpha mRNA expression was presented on the normal corneal epithelium and not on the corneal stroma. TGF-beta 1 and bGFG mRNA were expressed by both corneal epithelium and stroma. The capacities for cornea tissue expression of three growth factors mRNA increased after PRK, and the peaks appeared on the 1st, 2nd month. The extent for expressions of three growth factors related proportionally to the haze formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Three growth factors took part in promoting corneal wound healing after PRK, and might contribute to corneal haze formation and development.
Zhong
Y
Y
Ophthalmic Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China.
Cheng
F
F
Zhou
Y
Y
Lian
J
J
Ye
W
W
Wang
K
K
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014945:Wound Healing
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2