Cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the normal human eye and its expression pattern in selected eye tumours.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme involved in neoplastic processes. The purpose of the present study is to investigate COX-2 expression in the normal human eye and the expression pattern in selected eye tumours involving COX-2 expressing cells.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against COX-2 was performed on paraffin sections of normal human eyes and selected eye tumours arising from cells expressing COX-2.

RESULTS:

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was found in various structures of the normal eye. Abundant expression was seen in the cornea, iris, ciliary body and retina. The COX-2 expression was less in tumours deriving from the ciliary epithelium and also in retinoblastoma.

CONCLUSION:

Cyclooxygenase-2 is constitutively expressed in normal human eyes. The expression of COX-2 is much lower in selected eye tumours involving COX-2 expressing cells.

• Authors: Jinmei Wang, Yazhen Wu, Steffen Heegaard, Miriam Kolko
• Journal: Acta ophthalmologica (Acta Ophthalmol) Vol. 89 Issue 7 Pg. 681-5 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1755-3768 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19925514 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Acta Ophthalmol.

Chemical References

• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Adenoma (enzymology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Ciliary Body (enzymology)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (metabolism)
• Eye (enzymology)
• Eye Neoplasms (enzymology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive (enzymology)
• Retinal Neoplasms (enzymology)
• Retinoblastoma (enzymology)
• Tissue Distribution
• Uveal Neoplasms (enzymology)