Expression of Estrogen Receptors α and β, Androgen Receptors and Progesterone Receptors in Human Cornea

Abstract

Using immunohistochemical techniques and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we examined the localization of estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ER alpha, beta), androgen receptor (AR), and progesterone receptor (PR) in human corneas. Using formalin-fixed donor human cornea, we did immunohistochemical staining after making transverse sections, and examined the localization of receptors. Also, we extracted mRNA from primary culture cells of the corneal epithelium and stroma as well as the endothelial cell layer and epithelial layer of the cornea, and we performed RT-PCR and examined the expression of each receptor. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that ER alpha was localized in corneal epithelial cells as well as in corneal stromal cells, and ER beta, AR and PR were localized in corneal epithelial, stromal, and endothelial cells. ER alpha, ER beta, and AR mRNA expression was observed in cultured and in vivo epithelium and cultured stroma cells. PR mRNA was expressed not only in cultured and in vivo epithelium and in cultured stroma cells but also in endothelium. We detected the localization of estrogen receptors alpha and beta, androgen receptors, and progesterone receptors in the human cornea.