Identification of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the eye

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Previous research has demonstrated that sex steroids exert a significant influence on the structure and function of numerous ocular tissues. To begin to explore the underlying basis of this hormone action, we examined whether various anterior and posterior tissues of the eye contain androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs. Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from adult male and female rats, rabbits and humans, processed for the isolation of total RNA and analyzed by RT-PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization. All PCR amplifications included positive and negative controls. Results: Our findings showed that androgen, estrogen and/or progesterone receptor mRNAs are present in the lacrimal gland, lacrimal gland acinar epithelial cells, meibomian gland, lid, palpebral and bulbar conjunctivae, cornea, iris/ciliary body, lens, retina/uvea, retina/choroid and retinal pigment epithelial cells of rats, rabbits or humans.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that sex steroid receptor mRNAs exist in a variety of ocular tissues and suggest that these sites may represent target organs for androgens, estrogens and/or progestins.

Detection of Oestrogen receptors (ER) α and β in conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, and tarsal plates

“…6 Recent research revealed ERa mRNA as well as androgen and progesterone receptor mRNA in a series of ocular tissue samples (n ¼ 20) derived from the lacrimal gland, the eye lid and the conjunctiva by RT-PCR. 7 Regarding ocular tissues, ERb mRNA was detected only in the human cornea and retina to date. 8,9 With immunohistochemical techniques, ERa could be detected in meibomian glands both in male and female subjects.…”

Uveitis and the menstrual cycle

“…Oestrogens and progestogens have been found in aqueous humour, 15 and sex steroid receptors are widespread in ophthalmic sites, 16 including lacrimal gland, meibomian gland, lid, palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior uvea (including vascular endothelium), lens and retina, including retinal pigment epithelium. Both oestrogens Uveitis and menstrual cycle C Sanghvi et al and progestogens have been shown to be metabolised by iris and ciliary body in the rabbit.…”

“…For the purposes of data analysis, the menstrual cycle was firstly divided into the preovulatory phase (including the gradual rise in oestrogen secretion to a high preovulatory peak, days 1-13 from LMP), the ovulatory phase (days [14][15][16], and the postovulatory phase from day 17, including a large peak of progesterone secretion and a lesser oestrogen peak (Figure 1). Since the postovulatory phase is composed of two distinct phases each with different hormonal levels, we separately analysed the data by splitting the cycle into 4-day periods in order to gain a better idea of hormonal correlations.…”

The Role of Sex Hormones in Diabetic Retinopathy

“…It has been proposed its function is to protect the embryonic eye against excessive amounts of E2 (Gupta et al 2005). Messenger RNAs of AR have been found in adult rat retina and uvea, rabbit retina and choroid and human RPE Wickham et al 2000). In addition, Rocha et al found the mRNA for 5 reductase, which translates the enzyme which converts testosterone to the more active DHT in the RPE .…”