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Expression of bFGF and TGF-beta 2 in experimental myopia in chicks
Y Seko1, H Shimokawa, T Tokoro
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine, Japan.
Purpose:
To determine factors that control ocular enlargement in experimental form-deprivation myopia and to clarify the mechanism of form-deprivation myopia.
Methods:
After the left eyes of 20 chicks were monocularly occluded for 2 weeks, protein, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 2 contents in samples of constant area (circular button, diameter = 8.5 mm) in the retina-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid and the sclera in the posterior region of control and myopic eyes were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
The bFGF content (per circular button) and bFGF concentration (per mg protein) were significantly lower in the sclera in the posterior region of the myopic eyes than in control eyes. The bFGF content and concentration were similar in the retina-RPE-choroid in myopic and control eyes. The TGF-beta 2 content and concentration were significantly higher in myopic eyes in both the retina-RPE-choroid and the sclera (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
These results are consistent with the possibility that bFGF and TGF-beta 2 regulate ocular enlargement or respond to myopiagenic mechanisms in form-deprivation myopia.
Insights
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) levels were altered in experimental myopia. These growth factors may regulate ocular enlargement in form-deprivation myopia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Form-deprivation myopia is a common condition.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of myopia is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) in experimental form-deprivation myopia.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying ocular enlargement in this model.
Main Methods:
- Monocular occlusion was applied to chicks for 2 weeks.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify protein, bFGF, and TGF-beta 2 levels.
- Measurements were taken from the retina-retinal pigment epithelium-choroid and sclera.
Main Results:
- bFGF content and concentration were significantly lower in the sclera of myopic eyes compared to control eyes.
- TGF-beta 2 content and concentration were significantly higher in both the retina-retinal pigment epithelium-choroid and sclera of myopic eyes.
- bFGF levels in the retina-retinal pigment epithelium-choroid were similar between myopic and control eyes.
Conclusions:
- bFGF and TGF-beta 2 are implicated in the regulation of ocular enlargement during form-deprivation myopia.
- These findings suggest that bFGF and TGF-beta 2 may be key players in the myopiagenic process.