title: Expression of angiogenesis-related factors in human corneas after cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed the expression of angiogenesis-related factors in corneal tissues that had undergone previously autologous cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET).
  
  
  METHODS
  Six eyes from four chemically- and two thermally-injured patients with limbal stem cell deficiency who received COMET to promote wound healing were studied retrospectively. Immunoconfocal microscopy was performed on corneal specimens from the patients after COMET, as well on normal corneas, conjunctiva, and oral mucosa for keratin 8, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), VEGF, collagen XVIII (endostatin), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3), thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).
  
  
  RESULTS
  FGF-2, VEGF, endostatin, PEDF, and IL-1ra were detected in all the samples, with signals for FGF-2, VEGF, and IL-1ra localized to the full-thickness epithelial layer, as signals for endostatin limited to the basement membrane. Expression of PEDF varied in tissues, with a preferential expression in the suprabasal epithelial layer. FGF-2 and IL-1ra were abundantly expressed in the basal epithelial layer in specimens with increased stratification. Signals for sFlt-1, TIMP-3, and TSP-1 were detected in normal corneal epithelium, and in a specimen containing corneal epithelium, but were negative in all other specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Expression of FGF-2, VEGF, PEDF, endostatin, and IL-1ra was similar in normal corneas, conjunctiva, oral mucosa, and corneas after COMET. Expression of sFlt-1, TIMP-3, and TSP-1 was limited to normal corneas and negative for other tissues. A lack of the aforementioned antiangiogenic factors may contribute to the peripheral corneal neovascularization seen after COMET.
authors: Limbal Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan.
authors: Hung-Chi Jesse
authors: HC
authors: Chen
authors: Lung-Kun
authors: LK
authors: Yeh
authors: Yueh-Ju
authors: YJ
authors: Tsai
authors: Chyong-Huey
authors: CH
authors: Lai
authors: Chi-Chun
authors: CC
authors: Chen
authors: Jui-Yang
authors: JY
authors: Lai
authors: Chi-Chin
authors: CC
authors: Sun
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Chang
authors: Tsann-Long
authors: TL
authors: Hwang
authors: Jan-Kan
authors: JK
authors: Chen
authors: David Hui-Kang
authors: DH
authors: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D043169:Endostatins / Q000378:metabolism; D004848:Epithelium / Q000637:transplantation; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D043169:Endostatins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor; C467484:VEGFA protein, human