OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of p53 and DNA index (DI) and S-phase fraction (SPF) in pterygium, and explore their contribution of pathogenesis of pterygium.

METHODS

Surgically excised pterygia of 84 cases (96 eyes) with newly developed pterygium and 30 samples of normal conjunctiva as control were collected for immunohistochemistry to detected the expression of p53. The DI value and the SPF value were detected in all specimens with FCM.

RESULTS

The expression of p53 in pterygium was significantly higher than that of normal conjunctiva (P < 0.001). The DI value and the SPF value in pterygium were higher than that of normal conjunctiva but without statistical significance (P>> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The high expression of p53 and high level of DI value and SPF value suggest the pathogenesis of pterygium may be out of balance of cell apoptosis and cell proliferation.