title: Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells in pterygium treated with 5-Fluorouracil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the VEGF expression in macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells from pterygium before and after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  68 excised pterygia (42 primary and 26 recurrent) were studied by immunohistochemistry, to analyze its expression in cells from pterygium and normal conjunctiva. VEGF expression was evaluated before and after a 5-FU subconjunctival injection 15 days prior to surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression in macrophages was moderate in normal conjunctiva and low to moderate in pterygium tissues. In fibroblasts, it was negative or low in both tissues. Pterygium had a higher proportion of high VEGF expression in endothelial cells compared to normal tissue (p < 0.05). 5-FU did not have any influence on expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF expression in pterygium macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells was low and similar to that normal in conjunctival tissue. High VEGF expression was found in pterygium endothelial cells compared to normal conjunctiva. 5-FU does not impact VEGF expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu, São Paulo , Brazil .
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoyama
authors.forename: Magda Massae Hata
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Viveiros
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shiratori
authors.forename: Deilson Elgui
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Carlos Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Padovani
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Silvana Artioli
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schellini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000963:Antimetabolites; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Angiogenesis; antimitotic; eye; neovascularization