Research on the expression of TSG-6 and PTX3 and on apoptosis in conjunctival resection tissue in conjunctivochalasis

Objective To investigate the expression of TSG-6 and PTX3 as well as the apoptosis in conjunctival tissue of conjunctivochalasis (CCh). Methods Conjunctival tissue from the conjunctival resection tissue of CCh patients and simple cataract patients were collected and then the frozen sections of conjunctival tissue were prepared. The expressions of TSG-6 and PTX3 were detected by immunofluorescence and the apoptosis was detected by Tunel assay. Results The expression of TSG-6 was strongly positive in conjunctival epithelium of the CCh group. The average fluorescent intensity (AFI) was (76.67±26.87)which was significantly higher than that in normal control group (22.53±7.21)and the difference was statistically significant (t=8.460, P<0.001). TSG-6 was expressed in the conjunctival stroma and Tenon capsule of the CCh group (AFI 39.25±13.24) which was higher than that in normal control group (AFI 13.81±9.60) and the difference was statistically significant (t=7.440, P<0.001). PTX3 in conjunctival epithelium (AFI 52.41±11.61), matrix and Tenon's capsule (AFI 35.96±10.91) of the CCh group were both positive which were significantly higher than those (AFI 13.88±5.42 and 4.47±2.49) in normal control group (t=13.887, P<0.001; t=12.658, P<0.001 ). No statistically significant difference was found in the apoptosis rate between CCh (8.64±0.13%) and normal (8.33±0.11%) conjunctival epithelium (t=1.810, P=0.072). The apoptosis rate was significantly increased in CCh stroma and Tenon's capsule (40.42±0.24%) compared with that of normal control group (10.87±0.25%) (t=90.171, P<0.001). Conclusion The expressions of TSG-6 and PTX3, as well as cell apoptosis, increase significantly in conjunctival tissue of conjunctivohalsis, which indicates that inflammation and apoptosis involve in the pathogenesis of conjunctivochalasis. Key words: Conjunctivochalasis; Conjunctival resection tissue; TSG-6; PTX3; Apoptosis