title: Correlation between NGF/TrkA and microvascular density in human pterygium.
abstract: Pterygium is a surface ocular lesion that is associated with chronic UV exposure. The primary effect is a solar actinic elastosis within the stroma. All the other changes are secondary. Pterygium is characterized by proliferation, inflammatory infiltrates, fibrosis, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix breakdown. The aim of this study was to correlate microvascular density and nerve growth factor (NGF)/NGF-receptor transmembrane tyrosine kinase (TrkA) expression in endothelial cells in human pterygium. Specimens of human pterygium obtained from 30 patients who had undergone surgical excision and of 10 normal bulbar conjunctiva were investigated immunohistochemically by using anti-CD31, anti-NGF and anti-TrkA antibodies. Results showed that endothelial cells in human pterygium are immunoreactive to both NGF and its receptor TrkA, and that this immunoreactivity is correlated to microvascular density. The results of this study suggest that an autocrine loop between NGF and its receptor TrkA is activated in pterygium and that it is involved in the angiogenic response taking place in this pathological condition. These data are in accord with recent evidences, which have clearly established that NGF plays a role as an angiogenic factor in several pathological conditions. Understanding the mechanism of angiogenesis in pterygium provides a basis for a rational approach to the development of anti-angiogenic therapy in patients affected by this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, Italy. ribatti@anatomia.uniba.it
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nico
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Perra
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maxia
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murtas
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crivellato
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sirigu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D011625:Pterygium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA