Karadag, RemziBayram, NurettinOguztuzun, SerpilBayramlar, HuseyinBozer, BusraSimsek, GulcinRapuano, Christopher J.2020-06-252020-06-252017Karadag, R., Bayram, N., Oguztuzun, S., Bayramlar, H., Bozer, B., Simsek, G., & Rapuano, C. J. (2017). An investigation of human beta-defensins and cathelicidin expression in patients with pterygium. Arquivos brasileiros de oftalmologia, 80(5), 277–280.0004-27491678-2925https://doi.org/10.5935/0004-2749.20170068https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12587/6904Bozer, Busra/0000-0002-7280-4417Purpose: To investigate human beta-defensins (HBDs) and cathelicidin LL-37 (LL-37) expressions in patients with pterygium. Methods: In this retrospective consecutive case series, 26 pterygium specimens and 15 normal conjunctival specimens of 15 control subjects were in-vestigated. Expressions of HBD-1, HBD-2, HBD-3, and LL-37 were assessed using immunohistochemical staining. A brown color in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of epithelial cells indicated positive staining for HBDs and LL-37. For each antibody, the intensity of the reaction (negative [-], weak [1+], moderate [2+], or strong [3+]) was determined to describe the immunoreactions. Results: The median age was 52 years in both groups. There were no significant differences in age and sex between the groups (p=0.583, p=0.355, respectively). Of the 26 pterygium specimens, 15 (57.7%) (14 weak, 1 moderate staining) showed HBD-2 expression, which was not observed in any of the control specimens. One (3.8%) pterygium and one (6.7%) control specimen demonstrated weak staining for HBD-3. HBD-2 expression was significantly higher in the pterygium specimens than in the controls (p=0.002). None of the tissue specimens had positive staining for HBD-1 or LL-37 in either group (both; p=1.00). Conclusions: HBD-2 expression was higher in pterygium specimens than in the controls. HBD-2 expression that might be stimulated by inflammatory cytokines may be related to inflammation and fibrovascular proliferation and may play a role in pterygium pathogenesis.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCathelicidinsBeta-defensinsImmunohistochemicalInflammationPterygium/pathologyArticle80527728010.5935/0004-2749.201700682-s2.0-8503355272729160535Q3WOS:000415347000002Q4