Abnormal regulation of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules in corneas of patients with keratoconus.

ABSTRACT: AIM:To identify changes in the expression of genes coding for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in patients with non-inflammatory corneal disorder keratoconus (KC), patients with corneal scarring, and normal controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Total RNA extracted from corneal tissue of 13 KC patients, 2 patients with corneal scaring and 4 normal controls was analyzed using Human Extracellular Matrix & Adhesion Molecules Profiler PCR Array. Statistically significant changes in gene expression were identified using the Data Analysis software. RESULTS:Comparison of KC and control corneas with thresholds of 1.5 or greater fold change and a p-value of 0.05 or lower, revealed 21 differentially expressed genes, 16 genes were downregulated and 5 were upregulated. Among transcripts downregulated in KC patients we identified THBS1, ADAMTS1, SPP1, several collagens and integrins. We found TGFBI (BIGH3) gene was the most significantly upregulated transcript. CONCLUSION:Development of keratoconus results in deregulation of gene expression of extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:Downregulation of collagens and upregulation of TGFBI repeatedly identified in KC patients may be used as clinical markers of the disease.

SUBMITTER: Bykhovskaya Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5627975 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature