Molecular mechanism of pathological keratinization in severe ocular surface diseases
Nakamura, T.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 108(11): 654-664
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 15584350 Document Number: 570302
Purpose : To investigate the molecular mechanism of pathological keratinization in severe ocular surface diseases based on the process of epidermal physiological keratinization and the gene expression profile of ocular surface epithelium. Materials and Methods : We examined conjunctiva covering corneas which had ocular surface diseases in which pathological keratinization was seen. We then investigated the expression of epidermal keratinization-related proteins and clusterin, which is the most abundant gene transcript in human corneal epithelium. Results : Semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry showed that transglutaminase 1, involucrin, filaggrin, and cytokeratin 1/10 expression was upregulated in keratinized conjunctiva compared to normal conjunctiva. On the other hand, the level of clusterin expression in the diseased ocular surfaces was significantly lower than normal. We also concluded that clusterin expression may depend on the severity of the pathological keratinization. Conclusion : Various keratinization-related proteins and clusterin are most likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of cicatrizing ocular surface diseases.