[TGF-beta2 involvements in open angle glaucoma].

PURPOSE: To emphasize the correlation between TGF beta2 and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHODS

Observational clinical study on two groups of patients: group I--17 patients with POAG who need surgical approach and group II--16 patients without glaucoma. The groups were homogeneous regarding age and sex. The exclusion criteria were any associated systemic pathology. The concentration of TGF beta2 in the aqueous humor of each patient of both groups was measured by ELISA method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: After the comparative analysis we observed that TGF beta2 was more increased in patients with POAG than in patients without the disease. The changes of trabecular extra cellular matrix are induced by many factors. TGF beta2 is a special cytokine witch is believed to increase the fibronectin concentration in the trabecular meshwork and alter the extra cellular matrix turn-over with a final profibrotic effect.