Apoptosis and apoptosis related gene expression in normal conjunctiva and pterygium

Background-Pterygium is a relatively common eye disease in the tropics whos e aetiology and pathogenesis remain uncertain. As such, interest has focuse d on understanding the underlying mechanism of pterygia development. Methods-15 specimens of pterygia from 15 eyes were examined, together with normal conjunctival tissue from the same eyes for the pattern of gene expre ssion of genes associated with the induction or repression of apoptosis (p5 3, bcl-2, and bax). In addition, the samples directly for apoptotic cells w ere examined by the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase (TdT) mediated nic k end labelling (TUNEL) methodology. Results-In pterygia specimens apoptotic cells were found mainly confined to the basal layer of cells of the epithelial layer, situated immediately adj acent to the fibrovascular support layer. These cells were shown to express significant levels of p53 and bax, as well as the apoptosis inhibiting pro tein bcl-2. In contrast, normal conjunctival specimens displayed no bcl-2 e xpression and apoptotic cells were seen throughout the entire width of the epithelial layer, coupled with high levels of bax expression. Conclusion-These results support a model whereby pterygia development is a result of disruption of the normal process of apoptosis occurring in the co njunctiva.