ABSTRACT
·AIM:To investigate the factors related to the decrease of corneal endothelial cell number after phacoemulsification in cataract patients. ·METHODS: We selected 98 patients (120 eyes) in Ophthalmic Center from July 2014 to July 2016 underwent phacoemulsification and they were retrospectively analyzed. According to the central corneal endothelial cell density before and 2mo after the operation, they were divided into serious loss group of 52 cases (67 eyes, density of central corneal endothelial cells loss rate no less than 12.3%),the general loss group of 46 cases (53 eyes, the density of central corneal endothelial cell loss rate <12.3%). Relevant indicators of general information, operation of the two groups were compared, the influence factors of non conditional Logistic regression analysis method was used to investigate the effect for corneal endothelial cell loss in cataract patients. ·RESULTS:Serious loss group and the general group on gender, rate with hypertension, rate with diabetes, rate with high blood lipids, with shallow anterior chamber, corneal diameter and suction time comparison, had no statistically significant differences (P > 0. 05). Nuclear hardness classification of Emery lens, ultrasonic power, ultrasonic emulsification time, age between groups were significantly different(P<0.05). By using Logistic analysis method, the results showed that increased Emery lens nucleus grading, ultrasonic energy, phacoemulsification time, age were independent risk factors for corneal endothelial cells after phacoemulsification (P<0.05). ·CONCLUSION: The main factors that influence the decrease of corneal endothelial cell number after phacoemulsification are Emery lens, higher grade of nucleus of lens, increase of ultrasonic energy, longer time of phacoemulsification and increased age.
ABSTRACT
Background Clinical studies indicated that the pathogenesis of most corneal dystrophy is associated with the mutation of the transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) gene.However,the molecular mechanism of mutated TGFBI gene in corneal dystrophy is unclear. Objective The present study was to investigate the expression of the TGFBI gene in human corneal tissue and cells in vitro.MethodsHuman corneal epithelial cells and keratocytes were cultured and passaged,and donor corneal tissue was obtained for the section preparation.RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of TGFBI mRNA in human corneal tissue and cells.Immunofluorescence was used to test the expression of the TGFBI protein in the human corneal tissue,and immunohistochemistry was used to test the expression of the TGFBI protein in human corneal epithelial cells and corneal stromal cells.ResultsRT-PCR analysis showed that TGFBI mRNA could be detected as a 1274 bp band in human corneal tissue and corneal stromal cells,but no TGFBI mRNA was observed in corneal epithelial cells.Immunofluorescence assay revealed that corneal stromal cells were positive ly expressed for the TGFBI protein,but the corneal epithelial cells did not express the TGFBI protein.Immunohistochemistry indicated that the expression of TGFBI was detected the red fluoressence in the cytoplasm of corneal stromal cells;however,no positive response was found in corneal epithelial cells.ConclusionsThe expression of the TGFBI gene occurs in human corneal stromal cells but not in the corneal epithelial cells.This result might be of helpful for studying the function and role of TGFBI gene in pathogenesis of corneal dystrophy.
ABSTRACT
Background The human transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) is the first determined pathogenic gene to corneal dystrophy.But the molecular genetic mechanism is completely unknown.The study of concerning role of TGFBI is very important for us understand the physiological function of cornea,and the pathogenesis of corneal dystrophy.Objective The vector of human transforming growth factor beta-induced gene (TGFBI) in eukaryotic expression was constructed and transfected into the human corneal epithelial cells in order to explore its influence on the growth of human corneal epithelial cells.Methods Total RNA was extracted from normal donor cornea tissue and cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription.TGFBI cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription-PCR and cloned into pCMV-N-HA vector and identified by sequencing with PCR and EcoRV,XhoI double restriction endonuclease.The cells were grouped into recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid group,pCMVN-HA plasmid group,non-transfected group and pGFP-C2 transfected group.The recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid was transfected to human corneal epithelial cells and identified by observing the expression of enhanced green fluorescence protein(EGFP) in the cells.The TGFBI mRNA and proteins were harvested from the cells for real-time PCR analysis and Western blot assay respectively in 58 hours after transfection.The growth of the transfected cells was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8.The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) proteins and their mRNA in transfected cells were detected using SYBR fluorescence realtime PCR analysis and Western blot assay.Results The sequencing result of pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI positive clone plasmid showed that amplified TGFBI eDNA inserted into the vector at the correct sequence.EGFP was expressed in transfected cells in 48 hours after transfer of pGFP-C2 with the transfer efficacy 70％.The expression intensity of TGFBI mRNA was significantly higher in recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid group compared with pCMV-N-HA plasmid group and non-transfected group,and TGFBI protein was expressed in recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid group.No significant difference was found in the A450value among recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid group,pCMV-N-HA plasmid group and non-transfected group ( F=3.34,P＞0.05 ).The mRNA level of MMP1,MMP3in the transfected cells was significant elevated but that of TIMP1 was declined in the recombinant pCMV-N-HA-TGFBI plasmid group compared with pCMV-N-HA plasmid group and non-transfected group (all P ＜ 0.05 ).Meanwhile,the expressions of MMP1,MMP3 and TIMP1 proteins appeared the same tendency( all P＜0.05).Conclusions Eukaryotic expression vector harboring human TGFBI eDNA can be successfully constructed and efficiently overexpressed in human corneal epithelial cells.TGFBI gene is involved in the physical and pathological conditions of human corneal epithelial cells by regulating the activity of MMP1,MMP3 and TIMP1.The results offer a new approach for the study of the role of TGFBI in pathogenesis of corneal transparency.