Detection of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in human tear fluid: preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is one of the main regulators of fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate its presence in the human tear fluid of healthy individuals.


METHODS
A total of 70 tear fluid samples were collected from eight volunteers prior to and after stimulation of reflex tears with onion vapour. Specific ELISA analysis was performed with goat IgG against human CTGF.


RESULTS
Connective tissue growth factor was detected in seven samples (10%), with maximum levels of 17 ng/mL in basal tears. Induction of reflex tearing resulted in a fast and significant decrease of CTGF concentrations (r = - 0.95). No CTGF was detected in 90% of the samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Connective tissue growth factor may occur in tear fluid in healthy human eyes. This indicates a possible role for tear fluid CTGF in ocular surface fibrosis and wound healing.
van Setten
G B
GB
St. Erik's Eye Clinic, Karolinska Institute, Polhemsgatan 50, S-112 82 Stockholm, Sweden. g.van.setten@sankterik.se
Blalock
Timothy D
TD
Grotendorst
Gary
G
Schultz
Gregory S
GS
D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D013666:Tears / Q000737:chemistry*
C526317:CCN2 protein, human; D005136:Eye Proteins; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C042434:tear proteins; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor