Nestin expression in pterygia: potential role in angiogenesis. Issue 6 (5th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tonthat, Catherine Vumien; Di Girolamo, Nick
• Is Part Of: British journal of ophthalmology. Volume 98:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 801
• Page End: 807
• Publication Date: 2013-09-05
• Subjects: Conjunctiva -- Angiogenesis -- Ocular Surface; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2013-303919
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1161

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Pterygium is a common, benign fibrovascular disease of the human ocular surface that can impair vision and restrict ocular mobility if not removed. Surgical excision is the most common form of treatment; however, non-surgical therapeutics are being developed, which target the angiogenic component of this disease. Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament protein expressed in neuroepithelium with an emerging role in angiogenesis and tumourigenesis. Given the tumour-like and angiogenic features of pterygia, we postulated that nestin partakes in its development. Methods and Results: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pterygia and donor-matched conjunctiva (n=22) were obtained, sectioned and stained for nestin by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Immunoreactivity for nestin was semi-quantified and microvessel density counted. Significantly, higher nestin expression was identified in pterygium epithelial cells and blood vessels compared with matched normal conjunctiva. Interestingly, a high proportion of the pterygium specimens displayed nuclear staining for nestin within the basal and suprabasal epithelium. Immunofluorescence was used to simultaneously detect nestin in CD31 + blood vessels; however, this protein was absent from Lyve-1 + lymphatic vessels. In addition, blood and lymphatic vessel density was significantly higher in pterygia compared with corresponding control conjunctiva. Conclusions: These results demonstrate for the first time the expression of nestin in the pterygium vasculature and indicate that this protein may play a central role in the angiogenic response, which characterises this disease. Targeting nestin pharmacologically could be considered as an alternative or adjuvant therapeutic strategy.