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Transforming growth factor-alpha is a constant component of human tear fluid

  • Clinical Investigation
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Abstract

Growth factors are known as a family of polypeptides with powerful influences on angiogenesis, tumor growth and wound healing. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) are structurally related peptides which bind to the same receptor, EGF-R, and also exert similar effects. EGF is a natural component of human tears, and ocular disease leads to decreased concentrations in tear fluid. Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay we investigated whether TGF-α is also to be considered a natural component of tear fluid and in which concentrations it occurs. All of 46 tear fluid samples from 24 volunteers contained TGF-α. The mean concentration was 161.4 pg TGF-α/ml (SD 11.6 pg). No statistically significant correlation was found between tear fluid flow and TGF-α concentration in the sample. However, the concentration of TGF-α in tear fluid decreased significantly with increasing total time of tear fluid collection (P = 0.002). TGF-α levels in samples collected from males (n=16) appeared to be higher (mean 247.0 pg/ml, SD 15.3 pg/ml) than in those from females (n=30; mean 180.0 pg/ml, SD 8.5 pg/ml; P = 0.05). No correlation was found between the age of the individuals and the concentration of TGF-α in their tear fluid. The findings show that TGF-α is, like EGF, a constant component of human tear fluid. The dependence of TGF-α concentration on tear fluid flow and the physiological importance of its presence for corneal integrity and ocular surface physiology, however, require further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karolinska Institut, St. Eriks Eye Clinic, Laboratory of Dacryology, Fleminggatan 22, S-11282, Stockholm, Sweden

    Gysbert van Setten

  2. University of Florida Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Wound Research, P.O. Box 100294, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Gregory Schultz & G. van Setten

Authors
  1. Gysbert van Setten
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  2. Gregory Schultz
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  3. G. van Setten
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van Setten, G., Schultz, G. & van Setten, G. Transforming growth factor-alpha is a constant component of human tear fluid. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 232, 523–526 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00181994

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00181994

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