title: Fibroblasts isolated from human pterygia exhibit altered lipid metabolism characteristics.
abstract: To determine whether the fibrovascular proliferation observed in pterygium, may be, at least in part, mediated by an increased activity of cholesterol metabolism. The correlation between lipid metabolism and rate of growth was studied in human normal conjunctival (NCF) and primary pterygium fibroblasts (PFs) in primary culture. The expression of two proliferation markers (Ki-67 and p53) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining techniques. Proliferation was evaluated by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and by immunohistochemical assays. Lipid metabolism was evaluated by (14)C-oleate incorporated into cholesterol esters as well as by oil red O staining. Moreover, the cultures of pterygium fibroblasts were supplemented with two antiproliferative drugs in order to confirm the effective alterations in cholesterol metabolism related to proliferation. Immunohistochemistry of frozen sections from primary pterygium demonstrated an increased staining in Ki-67 and p53 compared with staining observed in normal conjunctiva. A dramatically increased activity of intracellular cholesterol metabolism was demonstrated in pterygium fibroblasts obtained from four different patients. This finding was confirmed by the reduction of cholesterol metabolism in pterygium fibroblasts treated with antiproliferative drugs. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that alterations of cholesterol metabolism are involved in the development of pterygia. This finding may represent a target of new therapeutic approaches for treatment and prevention of pterygium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, I-09124 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peiretti
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dessì
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mulas
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abete
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Galantuomo
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fossarello
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D004952:Esters; D000068338:Everolimus; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D011625:Pterygium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004952:Esters; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D002784:Cholesterol; D000068338:Everolimus; D020123:Sirolimus; D000077205:Pioglitazone