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CD-34 stromal expression pattern in normal and altered human corneas.

Authors :
Toti P
Tosi GM
Traversi C
Schürfeld K
Cardone C
Caporossi A
Source :
Ophthalmology [Ophthalmology] 2002 Jun; Vol. 109 (6), pp. 1167-71.
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

Objective: To test CD-34 immunoreactivity in stromal cornea cells in normal and pathologic samples obtained from penetrating keratoplasty.<br />Design: Prospective, consecutive histopathologic human tissue study.<br />Participants and Controls: One hundred two cornea buttons from patients with different diseases, submitted for cornea transplant, were examined. Controls were expired corneas from healthy donor patients who died (n = 4), and globes enucleated for primitive intraocular neoplasias, that is, retinoblastomas (n = 8), and malignant choroidal melanomas (n = 2).<br />Methods: The expression of CD-34 in stromal cornea cells was examined by immunohistochemistry analysis. Other immunohistochemical stains included an endothelial cell marker (CD-31), common leukocyte antigen, and alpha-smooth muscle actin.<br />Main Outcome Measures: Different diseases that may cause blindness and require penetrating keratoplasty have been tested for CD-34 immunoreactivity.<br />Results: In control corneas, keratocytes present strong and consistent CD-34 immunoreactivity. Diseases leading to the loss of transparency and penetrating keratoplasty, such as keratoconus, herpes keratitis, trauma, and heredofamilial dystrophies, are associated with focal or diffuse loss of CD-34 expression, whereas pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy show normal CD-34 immunoreactivity in most cases and patchy unstained stromal areas in a few cases.<br />Conclusions: Scar tissue formation in the cornea, as in herpes keratitis and trauma, is always associated with loss of CD-34 immunoreactivity, which may otherwise be a primary event in keratoconus and heredofamilial dystrophies. Both in the pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, CD-34 immunoreactivity may be normal or lost, hence these two diseases may be considered as one and part of the same group with regard to CD-34 expression, as revealed by immunohistochemistry analysis.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0161-6420
Volume :
109
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Ophthalmology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
12045061
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(02)01042-4