EGF and PDGF growth factor levels in Salzmann’s nodular degeneration and in norma

Relevance The imbalance of biologically active components in pathologically altered corneal tissue and its microenvironment, including lacrimal fluid, plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND). It is known that SND is associated with increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the corneal epithelium, which contributes to the disruption of the integrity of the Bowman's membrane, ensuring the penetration of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) into the stroma, which initiates the differentiation of stromal keratocytes into activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which can migrate to the anterior stroma and produce disorganized components of the extracellular matrix, forming a nodule [1–4]. However, there is no information on the presence of other cytokines and growth factors in this disease. Objective To study the concentration of growth factors potentially involved in the process of myofibroblast differentiation in the tears of healthy volunteers and patients with UDZ. Material and methods The study included samples of lacrimal fluid from 52 eyes of patients diagnosed with Salzmann nodular degeneration. The control group consisted of samples of lacrimal fluid from 24 eyes of healthy volunteers. Results According to the data of multiplex analysis on magnetic microspheres, the level of epithelial growth factor (EGF) and PDGF-BB was significantly increased in the UDZ group compared to the control group (p < 0.05 according to the Mann – Whitney criterion). Conclusion Increased expression of EGF and PDGF-BB in the lacrimal fluid of patients with UDZ may indicate disease progression and serve as a prognostic criterion, and therapeutic effects through the normalization of these indicators can contribute to the development of pathogenetically oriented therapy. Key words: Salzmann nodular degeneration; biomarker; cytokines; growth factors; tear