Purpose Human pterygium is an abnormal fibrovascular growth of tissue from the corneo-conjunctival junction onto clear cornea. A recent study has demonstrated the presence of lymphatic vessels in human pterygium. The purpose of current study is to investigate the characteristics of hemangiogenesis (blood vessel formation) and lymphangiogenesis (lymphatic vessel formation) in pterygium.
Methods Pterygium samples were collected after the surgical removal with the consent of patients. Immunofluorescent microscopic assays were carried using antibodies against CD31 (a panendothelial marker) and LYVE-1 (a lymphatic marker) antibodies.
Results Significant signals against CD31 and LYVE-1 could be detected in human pterygium samples.
Conclusion Both hemangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis could contribute the formation and development of pterygium. Further studies are required to investigate the underlying mechanism of the different roles of the two vascular changes in the pathogenesis of pterygium.