Quantitative relationships between transforming growth factor beta mRNA isoforms in congenital and traumatic cataracts

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine differences in the expression profiles of transforming growth factor (TGF) β isoforms in the fragments of anterior lens capsules (ALCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of pediatric patients with congenital and traumatic cataracts. METHODS: Forty children with congenital cataracts (19 girls and 21 boys) and 22 children with traumatic cataracts (six girls and 16 boys) participated in the study. Fragments of ALCs obtained during cataract surgery and whole blood samples were analyzed. Quantification of TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and TGFβ3 mRNA was performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (QRT)-PCR using SYBR Green I chemistry. RESULTS: TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and TGFβ3 mRNA was detected in all the studied samples. Significant differences were found for TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 expression profiles in PBMCs between the patients with congenital and traumatic cataracts. The expression profiles of TGFβ isoforms in ALCs did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 in the PBMCs of patients with congenital cataracts might indicate that these cytokines are involved in the development of lens opacity.