What is it about?

Pterygium is a ocular surface disease with fleshy, abnormal cell growth. All somatic non-immune cells of the individual have the same genomic DNA, as the disease is localised to a certain area of the conjunctiva/cornea, epigenetics is likely to explain the pathology. Epigenetic regulation of various genes involved in these processes may be involved. Here we show that a few promoters are differentially methylated in pterygium compared to uninvolved conjunctiva in the same eyes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Excessive ultraviolet stimulation may cause abnormal epigenetic regulation of some genes. We believe this is the first link between an environmental factor and epigenetic mechanism of a ocular surface disease.

Perspectives

DNA methylation is one of the pathways for pterygium progression

Prof Louis Tong
National University of Singapore

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Aberrant DNA Methylation of Matrix Remodeling and Cell Adhesion Related Genes in Pterygium, PLoS ONE, February 2011, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0014687.
You can read the full text:

Read
Open access logo

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page