Expression and significance of cell proliferation and apoptosis gene associated protein in pterygium

Objective:To study the roles of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)?Bcl-2 gene and bax gene products in the pathogenesis of pterygium. Methods:The expression of Bcl-2?bax and PCNA were detected in 19 pterygium and 9 normal conjunctival specimens by immunohistochemical streptavidin peroxidases (SP) method. Results:The expression of PCNA in the pterygium was significantly higher than that of normal conjunctiva(P0 01).Bcl-2 staining noted predominantly in the basal epithelial layer of cells,but normal conjunctival specimens showed no enidence of it.There was no difference in the expression of bax between pterygium and normal conjunctiva.The expression of PCNA was direct related to that of Bcl-2. Conclusions:The abnormal expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 may be a positive factor in the pathogenesis of pterygium.The results suggest that pterygia development may result from a co-operation of abnormal preliferation and unbalanced apoptosis.