FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR-1, INTERLEUKIN-1 RECEPTOR, AND GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA PRODUCTION IN THE HUMAN LACRIMAL GLAND

Purpose. To determine whether messenger RNA coding for fibroblast grow th factor receptor-1, interleukin-1 receptor, and glucocorticoid recep tor messenger RNA are produced in human lacrimal tissue. Methods. Tota l cellular RNA was isolated from three specimens of normal human lacri mal tissue and complementary DNA was synthesized. The polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primers were used to amplify the seque nces of interest from the complementary DNA. Hot blotting and sequence -specific probes were used to demonstrate that the expected amplificat ion products were specific.Results. Data demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, interleukin-1 receptor, and glucocorticoid r eceptor messenger RNA are produced in human lacrimal tissue. Conclusio ns. These results and the previous identification of basic fibroblast growth factor in the lacrimal gland suggest that basic fibroblast grow th factor has autocrine or paracrine functions in lacrimal tissue. Mor e study is needed to determine whether the corresponding proteins are produced and, if so, what functions are regulated by fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, interleukin-1 receptor, and glucocorticoid recepto r in the lacrimal gland.