Differential expression of transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in bullous keratopathy corneas.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate transcriptional activities of genes encoding transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta isoforms in bullous keratopathy corneas.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 45 patients with bullous keratopathy (22 females and 23 males). The control group included 45 corneal donors (21 females and 24 males). Quantification of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta3 mRNAs was performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (QRT-PCR).


RESULTS
TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta3 mRNAs were detected in both normal and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) corneas. We found significantly lower transcriptional activity of TGF-beta3 mRNA in bullous keratopathy corneas compared to normal tissues. TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 expressions were at the same level in both PBK and healthy corneas.


CONCLUSIONS
Downregulation of TGF-beta3 gene expression may play a significant role in molecular changes observed in bullous keratopathy.
Department of Molecular Biology, Medical University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, Poland. bstrzalka@sum.edu.pl
Barbara
B
Strzalka-Mrozik
Agnieszka
A
Stanik-Walentek
Malgorzata
M
Kapral
Malgorzata
M
Kowalczyk
Jolanta
J
Adamska
Joanna
J
Gola
Urszula
U
Mazurek
D000368:Aged; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta