Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in Vitreous Body and Adjacent Tissues during Prenatal Development of Human Eye

Abstract

Expression of transforming growth factor-β2 was detected by PCR in the vitreous body, lens, retina, and ciliary-iris complex of human eye at early stages of fetal development. Immunochemical assay of the corresponding protein in eye tissues revealed a correlation between the localization of transforming growth factor-β2 and the development of intraocular hyaloid vascular network, its regression, formation of the vitreous body, and development of definite retinal vessels.

Maternal folic acid–deficient diet causes congenital malformations in the mouse eye

“…In particular, all three transforming growth factorbeta (TGF-b) isoforms and their receptors (TGF-bR) are present in the ocular tissues, with TGF-b2 being particularly evident in most structures of the adult eye (Pasquale et al, 1993;Tanihara et al, 1993;Nishida et al, 1994;Peress and Perillo, 1994;Pfeffer et al, 1994;Obata et al, 1996). During development, the expression of TGF-b2 has been detected in the vitreous body, lens, retina, and the ciliary-iris complex of the human eye (Sukhikh et al, 2010), and its blockage both in mice and chicken embryos results in hyperplasia of the inner and outer neuroblastic layer of the retina, hypercellularity in the posterior chamber of the eye and altered corneal stroma (Sanford et al, 1997;D€ unker et al, 2001, D€ unker andKrieglstein, 2003). Indeed, the blockage of the TGF-b signaling molecules Smad3 and Smad7 causes serious alterations in the developing retina (Saika, 2006;Zhang et al, 2013).…”

TGF-β Superfamily Signaling in the Eye: Implications for Ocular Pathologies

“…TGF-β1 is expressed predominantly in ganglion cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, photoreceptors, microglia, choriocapillaris, and vitreous hyalocytes [ 122 ]. TGF-β2 is found in smooth muscle cells, pericytes, microglia, and vitreous hyalocytes, in addition to being localized in the outer segment of photoreceptors, choroidal vessels, and choroidal stroma [ 122 , 123 ]. TGF-β3 can be detected in choroidal histiocytes, microglia, Müller glia cells, vitreous hyalocytes, and within the mitochondria of photoreceptors [ 121 , 122 ].…”

Applications of Human Amniotic Membrane Patching Assisted Vitrectomy in the Management of Postoperative PVR in Complex Retinal Detachments

“…Therefore, the development of PVR can be considered as a self-perpetuating and exaggerated cicatricial response to retinal injury. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a cytokine identified into three different isoforms in the posterior segment of the eye, namely TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 [12][13][14][15]. Exposure of RPE cells to TGF-β leads to a down-regulation of epithelial markers [16][17][18][19], and an increase of mesenchymal markers (α-SMA and fibronectin) [20] and migration capacity.…”