[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors (flt-1) in morbid human corneas and investigation of its clinic importance].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (flt-1) in morbid corneas and the potential effects.

METHODS

Eleven cases of normal peripheral corneas and limbal tissues and 32 cases of miscellaneous morbid corneas were collected during corneal transplantation. The specimens were sectioned in a cryostat and stained with streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method for VEGF and flt-1. The expressive levels of VEGF were compared with grades of patients' clinical manifestations.

RESULTS

Positive expression of VEGF was exclusively presented in all morbid corneal specimens and that of flt-1 was showed in most cases. Stronger staining was found in the epithelia and stoma of the morbid cornea. The expressive levels of VEGF were more important in the stroma and the endothelia of the morbid corneas than that in the normal peripheral corneas and were positively correlated with the degrees of corneal opacities and the area of corneal neovascularization in infiltrating inflammatory cells and proliferative tissues ( P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF and flt-1 were expressed in miscellaneous morbid corneas and may play an important role in the repair of corneal injuries and the corneal neovascularization.