Posters

An investigation of human beta defensins and cathelicidin expression in patients with pterygium

Poster Details

First Author: R.Karadag TURKEY

Co Author(s):    N. Bayram   S. Oguztuzun   B. Bozer   G. Guler Simsek   C. Rapuano        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To investigate Human Beta Defensins (HBD) and Cathelicidin expressions in patients with pterygium.

Setting:

Istanbul Medeniyet University School of Medicine

Methods:

In this retrospective consecutive case series, 26 pterygium specimens and 15 normal conjunctival specimens of 15 control subjects were investigated. Expressions of HBD-1, HBD-2, HBD-3 and cathelicidin (LL-37) were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. A brown color in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of epithelial cells was defined as positive staining for HBDs and LL-37. For each antibody, the intensity of the reaction (negative [-], weak [1], moderate [2] or strong [3]) was determined in order to describe the immunoreactions.

Results:

The median age was 52 years in both groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and sex (p=0.583, p=0.355 respectively). Of the 26 pterygium specimens, 15 (57.7%) (14 weak and 1 moderate staining) demonstrated HBD-2 expression while it was not found in any of the control specimens, One of the pterygium (3.8%) and one of the control specimens (6.7%) demonstrated weak staining for HBD-3. HBD-2 expression was significantly higher in the pterygium specimens than in the controls (p=0.002). None of the tissue specimens had positive staining for HBD-1 or LL-37 in both groups (p=1.00).

Conclusions:

We found increased HBD-2 expression in pterygium specimens compared to controls. The HBD-2 expression that might be stimulated by inflammatory cytokines may be related to inflammation and fibro-vascular proliferation and may play a role in pterygium pathogenesis.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE