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Distribution and expression of transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor in the normal and
1Department of Ophthalmology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan.
Purpose:
Remodeling of the extracellular matrix occurs in the lamina cribrosa in progressed glaucomatous optic nerve damage including disc cupping. We examined immunohistochemical changes in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the optic nerve head in an experimentally induced glaucoma model.
Methods:
We used 3 cynomolgus and 2 Japanese monkey eyes. Glaucoma was induced by repeated argon laser photocoagulation of the chamber angle. Eyes were enucleated after disc cupping had formed 3 to 5 months after photocoagulation. The optic nerve head was examined for expression of TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3 and PDGF-A and -B in frozen sections and by the biotin ExtraAvidin-alkali phosphatase method.
Results:
Normal monkey eyes showed TGF-beta1, -beta2 and -beta3, and PDGF-A and -B in the optic nerve head including the nerve fibers, glial cells, and vascular cells. Glaucomatous eyes showed stronger expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta2 in the glial cells around the lamina cribrosa. The staining intensities for TGF-beta3, PDGF-A and -B were the same as in normal eyes.
Conclusions:
Eyes with experimental glaucoma showed higher expression of TGF-beta1 and -beta2 around the lamina cribrosa. These findings may show upregulation of extracellular matrix production as related to remodeling of the lamina cribrosa in glaucoma.