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Impressum
Endothelin-1 and ETB immunohistochemistry in normal and vascularized human corneas
1Cursiefen C., 2Kuhlmann A., 2Amann K., 1Schlötzer-Schrehardt U., 1Küchle M.
1Department of Ophthalmology, 2Department of Pathology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
Objective: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent mitogen for endothelial
cells and can induce angiogenesis. ET-1 expression was analyzed in normal
and pathologic (non-vascularized and vascularized) human corneas.
Methods: Using indirect immunohistochemistry, ET-1 and ETB protein
expression was evaluated in normal human cornea, keratoconus, Fuchs' corneal
endothelial dystrophy and in vascularized human corneas obtained by keratoplasty
(secondary to transplant rejection, trauma and herpes keratitis; monoclonal
antibody; paraffin-embedded 5 µm sections). In-situ hybridisation
and immunogold labeling studies were performed for ET-1 in these corneas.
Results: Normal human corneas showed positivity for ET-1 and ETB
in the basal layers of the corneal epithelium and in the corneal endothelium.
In vascularized corneas in addition, ET-1 and ETB were found weakly on
endothelial cells of new pathologic capillaries. Using a semiquantitative
evaluation, ET-1 expression was more pronounced in the epithelium of vascularized
compared to non-vascularized human corneas. Immunogold labeling localized
ET-1 in the endothelium of new pathologic blood vessels.
Conclusions: Constitutive ET-1 expression in corneal epithelium
seems to be upregulated under pathologic conditions. Together with the
weak ET-1 and ETB positivity of endothelial cells of new pathologic capillaries
this may indicate involvement of ET-1 in the process of human corneal
angiogenesis. ET-1 and its receptors may represent additional targets
for an antiangiogenic therapy against corneal neovascularisation.
Support: BMBF: IZKF Erlangen (B13)