Abnormal expression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene in the conjunctiva of patients with pterygium.

PURPOSE: To determine whether pterygium is a disorder of abnormal growth by examining the expression of the p53 gene in the conjunctiva of patients with pterygium.

METHODS

Immunostaining for abnormal expression of p53 was performed using mouse monoclonal antibody to human p53, pAb 240, on six eyes with primary pterygium and two eyes with recurrent pterygium.

RESULTS

In three of the eight eyes with pterygium, specimens were positive for abnormal expression in the epithelium of the pterygium and in the superior bulbar conjunctiva.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal p53 expression in the epithelium of primary and recurrent pterygium specimens suggests that pterygium is a growth disorder rather than a degeneration.