title: Stromal cell derived factor-1, CXCR4 and CXCR7 gene transcripts in pterygia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pterygium is a pathologic process with angiogenic and tumor cell like characteristics. Chemokine and chemokine receptors may contribute to the formation and growth of pterygia. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of stromal cell derived factor (SDF)-1, as an angiogenic chemokine, and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, gene transcripts in pterygia.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA was extracted from tissue samples of 33 patients with primary pterygium and 35 volunteers with conjunctiva as the control group. Then the mRNA expression of SDF-1, CXCR4, and CXCR7 was assessed through quantitative Real Time PCR method using appropriate primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SDF-1 and both receptors transcripts had significantly higher expression in pterygia samples compared to the control group (P< 0.05). The ratio of CXCR7 transcript expression to CXCR4 was 26.4 in patients while it was 11 in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As SDF-1 and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, were up-regulated in pterygia, SDF-1/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis may contribute to pterygium formation which can be possibly restrained by down-regulating this signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bamdad
authors.affiliation: Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khademi
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Nooshin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chenari
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Atta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taseh
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahboobeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Razmkhah
keywords: Angiogenesis; CXCR4; CXCR7; Pterygium; SDF-1