Bcl-2, p53, and Ki-67 expression in pterygium and normal conjunctiva and their relationship with pterygium recurrence

Pterygium is a common lesion of the ocular surface, and its etiology and pathogenesis are still uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the role of apoptosis and proliferation in pterygium formation and recurrence.

In this study, p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 expression levels were evaluated in primary pterygium (n = 35) and recurrent pterygium (n = 32) tissue samples and compared with normal conjunctiva (n = 30) tissue samples. In addition, recurrent pterygiums were divided into three groups based on recurrence time, and their p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 expression levels were compared.

The results show that p53, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 expression levels were significantly higher in the pterygium tissue samples as compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). When primary and recurrent pterygium tissues were compared, bcl-2 expression was higher in recurrent pterygium tissue samples (p = 0.003). However, when Ki-67 and p53 expression levels were evaluated, no significant difference was found between primary and recurrent pterygium (p = 0.215, p = 0.321, respectively). Also, p53 and Ki-67 expression were correlated in pterygium tissue samples, and Bcl-2 expression was significantly higher in pterygium that recurrence in the first 6 months after surgery. There was no difference between groups 1, 2, and 3 in terms of p53 and Ki-67 expression.

Antiapoptotic mechanisms and proliferation play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of pterygium. Furthermore, Bcl-2 expression may be important in pterygium recurrence.