1. ¹Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University, Yongsan Hospital, Seoul, Korea
2. ²Department of Pathology, Chung-Ang University Yongsan Hospital, Seoul, Korea
3. ³Department of Ophthalmology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China

Correspondence: JC Kim, Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University, Yongsan Hospital, Hangang-ro 3 Ga 65-207, Yongsan-Gu Seoul, Korea, 140-757. Tel: +82 2 748 9838; Fax: +82 2 792 6295; E-mail: Jck50ey@Kornet.net

Received 21 April 2003; Accepted 10 October 2003; Published online 27 February 2004.

Abstract

Aims To evaluate the involvement of multipotential stem and progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of pterygium.

Methods Paraffin-embedded and snap-frozen primary pterygium (n=10) were serially sectioned and analysed immunohistochemically to determine the expression level of AC133 (marker for the primitive haematopoietic progenitors), CD34 (marker for the haematopoietic progenitor cells and endothelium), c-Kit (marker for haematopoietic and stromal progenitor cells), and STRO-1 (a differentiation antigen present on bone marrow fibroblast cells and on various nonhaematopoietic progenitor cells).

Results In all the primary pterygium, immunoreactivity of AC133 and STRO-1 was found in some of the epithelial and stromal cells, CD34 was observed in the vascular endothelium, and some scattered ovoidal cells were found in the subepithelial connective tissue. C-Kit was expressed mainly in the basal epithelium of the head portions, and some spindle-shaped stromal cells. There is no immunoreactivity of AC133, c-Kit, and STRO-1 in normal conjunctiva, whereas CD34 was mildly stained with vessel wall.

Conclusion Multipotential stem and progenitor cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of pterygium through its differentiation into fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells.