Detection of oestrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta in conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, and tarsal plates.

PURPOSE: Lack of Oestrogen and androgen may be of importance in the pathogenesis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). The signal of Oestrogens is transmitted via specific Oestrogen receptors (ER). It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the expression of ER alpha and ER beta in tear-producing tissues.

METHODS

Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR, ER alpha + beta) and immunohistochemical evaluation (ER alpha only) were performed for ER detection and localization in tissue samples of bulbar conjunctiva (20 samples of 20 patients undergoing cataract surgery), tarsal plates (14 samples of 12 patients undergoing eye lid surgery), and lacrimal glands (20 samples of 13 cornea donors).

RESULTS

Messenger RNA ER alpha was identified via RT-PCR in all tissue samples with variable expression, ER beta predominantly in lacrimal gland tissue. Immunohistochemical staining for ER alpha was negative in most cases, probably due to the thermolability of ERs and very small sample sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of ER alpha and ER beta mRNA expression supports the concept of a receptor-based effect of Oestrogen in these tissues contributing to KCS. This may encourage therapeutical efforts including topical Oestrogen administration.