title: Evaluation of differentially expressed genes identified in keratoconus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the human keratocytes in keratoconus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total RNA extracted from cultured corneal stromal fibroblasts from normal and keratoconic corneas were used for the synthesis of cDNA. DEGs were screened by an annealing control primer(TM)-based PCR method using GeneFishing() DEG kits. The differentially expressed bands were sequenced and analyzed. The genes identified were further evaluated by reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overexpression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), cofilin 1 (CFL1), and JAW1-related protein (MRVI1) and underexpression of actin, alpha 2 (ACTA2), gene rich cluster, and C 10 gene (GRCC10), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), and somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) were verified, and these results were confirmed by reverse transcriptase PCR and quantitative real-time PCR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eight genes were identified to be differentially expressed in keratoconus and related with apoptosis, the cytoskeleton, wound healing, and nerve fibers. The genes identified may be involved in the mechanism underlying stromal thinning; thus, they could be important and deserve further investigation.
authors: The Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea.
authors: Ji-Eun
authors: JE
authors: Lee
authors: Boo Sup
authors: BS
authors: Oum
authors: Hee Young
authors: HY
authors: Choi
authors: Seung Uk
authors: SU
authors: Lee
authors: Jong Soo
authors: JS
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins