Relationship between the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and survivin in primary pterygium.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a group of 93 Ecuadorian primary pterygia and to evaluate a possible association between COX-2 and survivin.


METHODS
Primary pterygium samples were treated for the immunohistochemical evaluation of COX-2 and survivin. Mouse monoclonal antibody to COX-2 and rabbit polyclonal antibody to survivin were used. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical software package, version 15.0.


RESULTS
In our study, 63 (67.7%) primary pterygia samples were positive for COX-2 staining, and 70 (75.3%) specimens were positive for survivin expression. In the group of pterygia with survivin immunostaining, there were 55 (78.6%) samples with COX-2 expression. The staining of both COX-2 and survivin was localized in the lower and middle layers of the epithelium. When analyzed by Fisher's exact test, the expression of COX-2 showed a strong significant correlation with survivin (p=0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
These data, showing a significant correlation between COX-2 and survivin in primary pterygium, suggest that pterygium may originate through an anti-apoptotic mechanism.
Maxia
Cristina
C
Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari Medical School, Cagliari, Italy. cmaxia@unica.it
Perra
Maria Teresa
MT
Demurtas
Paolo
P
Minerba
Luigi
L
Murtas
Daniela
D
Piras
Franca
F
Cabrera
Renè
R
Ribatti
Domenico
D
Sirigu
Paola
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D000077022:Survivin; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D000077022:Survivin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2