Protein Expressions of the Small GTPase Rho Proteins in Pterygial Tissue and Leukocytes of Patients with Pterygium

Pterygium is a benign fibrovascular proliferation that develops from the conjunctiva and invades the cornea. The etiology of this disorder remains unclear. Current treatment of pterygium is surgical. The postoperative recurrence rate of pterygium is reported be high. To the best of our knowledge, these results are the first to demonstrate the contribution of proteins expressions of the small GTPase Rho proteins in patients with pterygium. Our data showed that leukocyte RhoA, RhoB, RhoD, and RhoE protein expressions were markedly elevated in primary pterygium. However, no significant modifications were noted in pterygial tissues.