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Expression pattern of sonic hedgehog and effect of topical mitomycin C on its expression in human ocular surface

Kyoko Fujita1, Takeshi Miyamoto2, Yuka Okada2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan. kyoko@wakayama-med.ac.jp.

Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 29, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Human ocular surface neoplasms show increased sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression, which is reduced by topical mitomycin C. This suggests Shh pathway modulation may contribute to the drug

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway plays a role in cellular development and cancer.
  • Ocular surface neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma, can affect vision and eye health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of Shh in human ocular surface neoplasms.
  • To determine the effect of topical mitomycin C on Shh expression in these tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of conjunctival tissues from normal subjects and patients with ocular surface neoplasms.
  • Evaluation of Shh and Patched 1 (Ptc) expression.
  • In vitro study using a cultured squamous cell carcinoma cell line to assess mitomycin C's effect on Shh expression.

Main Results:

  • Basal conjunctival epithelial cells showed faint Shh immunoreactivity.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma and ocular epithelial dysplasia cells exhibited markedly increased Shh expression.
  • Topical mitomycin C treatment significantly reduced Shh expression in ocular epithelial dysplasia and in cultured cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Ocular surface epithelial cells express low levels of Shh, with increased expression during malignant transformation.
  • The reduction of Shh expression by topical mitomycin C may contribute to its therapeutic effectiveness against ocular surface neoplasms.

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