[Expression of glucocorticoid receptor alpha and beta mRNA in orbital tissues in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the expression of glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha) and beta (GRbeta) messenger RNA (mRNA) in orbital tissues from thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).


METHODS
Samples of extraocular muscle and orbital fat were obtained from 17 patients with TAO and 10 healthy individuals. Total RNA was extracted and reversely transcripted into cDNA. The expression of GRalpha and GRbeta mRNA was detected by means of fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


RESULTS
Expression of GRalpha mRNA was much higher than GRbeta mRNA in all extraocular muscle and orbital fat biopsies. The relative copy of GRalpha was 40.15 +/- 11.37 in TAO patients and 20.64 +/- 7.07 in the controls. GRalpha: GRbeta mRNA ratio of these two groups was 77.76 +/- 18.77 and 148.34 +/- 23.86, respectively. There was significant difference between these two groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted between extraocular muscle and orbital fat biopsies, between glucocorticoid-treated and non-treated patients or among hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism and euthyroidism (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased expression of GRalpha mRNA and decreased GRalpha: GRbeta ratio in orbital tissues may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TAO and the effects of glucocorticoid treatment.
Luo
Qing-li
QL
Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
He
Wei-min
WM
Xia
Qing-jie
QJ
Cao
Gui-qun
GQ
Yan
Nai-hong
NH
Wang
Ling
L
Zhang
Fa-qiang
FQ
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D049970:Graves Ophthalmopathy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; C411470:glucocorticoid receptor alpha; C121943:glucocorticoid receptor beta