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Posttraumatic temporal TGF-β mRNA expression in lens epithelial cells of paediatric patients
P Berezowski1, B Strzalka-Mrozik, M Forminska-Kapuscik
1Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. berezbba@gmail.com
Insights
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) gene expression in pediatric posttraumatic cataracts shows a transient increase after injury, with TGF-β1 being dominant. Levels peak around four months, then decline.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Pediatric posttraumatic cataracts are often associated with complex molecular changes in the anterior lens capsule.
- Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling is implicated in wound healing and fibrosis, processes relevant to cataract development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal gene expression profiles of TGFB1, TGFB2, and TGFB3 in the anterior lens capsule of pediatric patients following traumatic cataract injury.
- To quantify the relative mRNA levels of TGF-β isoforms at different time points post-injury.
Main Methods:
- Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine mRNA copy numbers for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3.
- Anterior lens capsule samples from 22 pediatric patients were analyzed.
- Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three time-related clusters: 2.2, 4.4, and 15.0 months post-injury.
Main Results:
- TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 mRNAs were detected in all samples, with TGF-β1 consistently showing the highest expression, followed by TGF-β2, then TGF-β3.
- TGF-β mRNA levels increased up to approximately four months post-injury before returning towards baseline levels by 15 months.
- Statistically significant differences in TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 expression were observed between the time clusters, indicating a time-dependent expression pattern.
Conclusions:
- Posttraumatic TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 gene expression in the pediatric anterior lens capsule is time-dependent, influenced by the interval since injury.
- TGFB family gene expression exhibits a transient over-expression phase in the months following traumatic injury.
- TGF-β1 is the predominant isoform expressed in lens epithelial cells after injury, suggesting a key role in the post-traumatic response.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to determine temporal TGFB1, TGFB2 and TGFB3 gene expression profiles in the anterior lens capsule of paediatric patients with posttraumatic cataract. The patient group comprised 22 children selected with a fragment of anterior lens capsule obtained during elective cataract surgery and sampled for molecular analysis. The levels of TGF-β isoforms in the anterior lens capsule were determined based on the number of mRNA copies per 1 μg total RNA by real-time qRTPCR. Three time-related result clusters were identified based on hierarchical cluster analysis: 2.2, 4.4 and 15.0 months (time span from injury to anterior capsule sampling during surgery) and compared with regard to temporal gene expression profile and quantitative relations of TGF-β1, 2 and 3 mRNAs. TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 mRNAs were detected in all anterior lens capsule samples. A comparative analysis revealed: TGF-β1>TGF-β2>TGF-β3 during the entire observation period. The TGF-β mRNA levels continued to increase up to four months after injury, then returning close to the base levels after around 15 months. The expression patterns of TGF-β isoforms showed a similar tendency. Differences in the expression levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 between the particular clusters were statistically significant. Posttraumatic transcriptional activities of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in the anterior lens capsule of paediatric patients depend on the time elapsing from injury. Our findings indicate that the transcriptional activities of TGFB family genes show a transient period of over-expression during the months after injury. TGF-β1 is a dominant isoform expressed in lens epithelial cells following injury.
