The Influence of Chemokine CXCR4 and Cyclooxygenase-2 in the Recurrence of Pterygium

ABSTRACTPurpose: To investigate the role of CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 in pterygium recurrence.Methods: A total of 18 primary and 9 recurrent pterygium samples were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining using primary antibodies against cyclooxygenase-2 and CXCR4 was performed. The cyclooxygenase-2 and CXCR4 expressing cells were calculated separately on the epithelium and stroma. In addition, a correlation between the area of pterygium and CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels was investigated.Results: In the primary pterygium group, cyclooxygenase-2 staining was more intense in the epithelium and more dominant in the stroma of the recurrence samples. The CXCR4 expression was more intense in the stroma of both groups. The highest CXCR4 expression was observed in the recurrent pterygium group. There was a strong correlation between the area of pterygium and CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 of stroma.Conclusions: CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 may play an important role in the recurrence of pterygium.