Posters

Expression of the pro-inflammatory molecule RAGE in human pterygia

Poster Details

First Author: S.Al-Swailem SAUDI ARABIA

Co Author(s):    E. Duh   S. Yiu           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Inflammation is associated with development and growth of pterygia, including promotion of angiogenesis. The important inflammatory mediators in pterygia are continuing to be defined. RAGE, the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts, is known to be a strong pro-inflammatory molecule expressed in vascular endothelium and other cell types. In this study, we examined RAGE expression and immunolocalization in human pterygium and normal conjunctival tissue.

Setting:

King Khaled Eye Specialist hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) in collaboration with Wilmer eye Johns Hopkins (Baltimore, USA).

Methods:

Twenty eight (28) Pterygium specimens were obtained during surgery at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH). In the same patients, conjunctival specimens were obtained during surgery.Tissue specimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. Tissue sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with anti-RAGE antibody & anti-CD31. Expression and localization of RAGE were evaluated in pterygium and corresponding conjunctiva.

Results:

In both pterygium tissue and corresponding conjunctiva, there was expression of RAGE in the epithelium. In addition, other cell types exhibited expression, notably vascular endothelial cells as well as fibroblasts and possibly macrophages. There was distention of endothelial cells in pterygium specimens with associated prominent staining of RAGE in in 23 (82%) pterygium specimens as compared to normal conjunctiva.

Conclusions:

The prominent expression of RAGE in vascular endothelium in pterygia suggest a possible role of this molecule in promoting the inflammatory process in pterygium progression. Therapies targeted against RAGE could therefore constitute a treatment strategy for patients with pterygium. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE