title: The pathologic characteristics of pingueculae on autofluorescence images.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the autofluorescence (AF) properties of pinguecula using cobalt-blue and yellow filters and to investigate the nature and pathogenesis of pingueculae using histochemical and immunohistochemical staining.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty pingueculae in 40 patients were included in this study. AF of the pingueculae was observed and analyzed using a cobalt-blue filter with an additional yellow filter on a slit-lamp. Hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical stainings were performed on surgical specimens of pingueculae that were prepared from each patient. Immunohistochemical staining included Congo red, Oil Red O, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Masson's trichrome, transglutaminase-2 (TG-2), mesenchymal stem cell markers CD29 (β-1-integrin), and CD34.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AF images revealed hyper-AF in the pinguecula area. The AF lesions of pingueculae showed superficial punctuate erosions and avascular lesions. Deposition of eosinophilic and amorphous materials in the subepithelial layer of the pinguecula were observed on hematoxylin-eosin staining. Historeactivities to Congo red, PAS, Oil Red O, alcian blue, and Masson's trichrome were not detected, but immunoreactivities to CD29, CD34, and TG-2 were detected in the pingueculae with AF. However, CD29, CD34, and TG-2 were not detected in the pingueculae without AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The AF of pingueculae may be related to CD29, CD34, and TG-2. We suggest that pingueculae with AF have a different pathogenesis compared to pingueculae without AF.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Tae Hyung
authors: TH
authors: Kim
authors: Yeoun Sook
authors: YS
authors: Chun
authors: Jae Chan
authors: JC
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D059407:Pinguecula / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D006416:Hematoxylin
keywords: Optical imaging; Pinguecula; Transglutaminase 2