title: The role of ultraviolet radiation in the pathogenesis of pterygia (Review).
abstract: Pterygium is a common ophthalmic disease affecting humans only. Extensive epidemiological data have demonstrated a causative effect of chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation on pterygia. Progress has been made in determining the origin of pterygia, their nasal predilection and wing‑shaped appearance, and the roles of UV radiation in the initiation and the development of pterygia. In the present review, the current understanding of the involvement of UV radiation in the pathogenesis of pterygia is summarized. This involvement includes the alteration of limbal stem cells and fibroblasts that contribute to the initiation of pterygia and the induction of various pro‑inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases that promote the progression of pterygia. Further elucidation of the roles of UV radiation in the pathogenesis of pterygia may help to encourage individuals at risk of developing pterygia to take preventive measures and aid researchers in the development of novel targeted therapeutic agents to treat pterygia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei-Ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yuan-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wen-Ya
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310016, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yu-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050541:Bowman Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011625:Pterygium / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases