Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the normal human eye and its expression pattern in selected eye tumours.
OBJECTIVE
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme involved in neoplastic processes. The purpose of the present study is to investigate COX-2 expression in the normal human eye and the expression pattern in selected eye tumours involving COX-2 expressing cells.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against COX-2 was performed on paraffin sections of normal human eyes and selected eye tumours arising from cells expressing COX-2.


RESULTS
Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was found in various structures of the normal eye. Abundant expression was seen in the cornea, iris, ciliary body and retina. The COX-2 expression was less in tumours deriving from the ciliary epithelium and also in retinoblastoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclooxygenase-2 is constitutively expressed in normal human eyes. The expression of COX-2 is much lower in selected eye tumours involving COX-2 expressing cells.
Wang
Jinmei
J
Institute of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Eye Pathology Section, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Wu
Yazhen
Y
Heegaard
Steffen
S
Kolko
Miriam
M
D000236:Adenoma / Q000201:enzymology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000201:enzymology; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000201:enzymology*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018242:Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive / Q000201:enzymology; D019572:Retinal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000201:enzymology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2