The Role of Focal Adhesion Kinase in the TGF-beta-Induced Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation of Human Tenon's Fibroblasts

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation of human Tenon's fibroblasts. METHODS: Primary cultured human Tenon's fibroblasts were exposed to TGF-beta1 for up to 48 hours. The mRNA levels of FAK, alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA), and beta-actin were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of collagen type I, FAK, phospho-FAK, alphaSMA, and beta-actin were determined by Western immunoblots. After the small interfering RNA targeting FAK (siRNA(FAK)) molecules were delivered into the cells, the expressions of alphaSMA proteins were determined by Western immunoblots. RESULTS: In human Tenon's fibroblasts, TGF-beta1 significantly increased the mRNA and protein expressions of alphaSMA. However, when the action of FAK was inhibited using siRNAFAK, the TGF-beta1-induced expression of alphaSMA was attenuated. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that FAK may be associated with the TGF-beta1-induced transdifferentiation of human Tenon's fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, which is the essential step of subconjunctival fibrosis.

Quantitative Measurement of Glare Disability Using a Glaremeter

PURPOSE: To report glare disability measured by a glaremeter. METHODS: Glaremeter values were measured in 270 normal eyes and 100 pseudophakic eyes. The normal eyes were classified into 3 age groups (teenage to 60's) with 90 eyes in each group. The pseudophakic eyes were classified into the monofocal IOL (intraocular lens) and multifocal IOL implanted groups with 50 eyes in each group. Glaremeter values of each group were measured using a glaremeter under photopic (82.2 +/- 5.1 cd/m2) and mesopic (5.5 +/- 0.3 cd/m2) conditions. RESULTS: The highest mean glaremeter value in the normal eyes was 8657.34 +/- 691.04 mm2 under the photopic condition and 8837.97 +/- 805.83 mm2 under the mesopic condition in the oldest group. The glaremeter value of the multifocal IOL implanted group was 9390.87 +/- 846.7 mm2 under the photopic condition and 9799.87 +/- 823.72 mm2 under the mesopic condition, which was significantly higher than the normal eye and the monofocal IOL implanted groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the normal population, the mean glaremeter values were increased according to age, and a significant increase was observed in the multifocal IOL implanted group. The present study results provide good basic data for cataract and presbyopia refractive surgery predicted to produce glare disability inevitably.