Expression of PDGF receptor-alpha in corneal myofibroblasts in situ.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha) in the myofibroblasts of corneas with stromal haze. Central corneal sections from rabbit eyes that had -9 diopter PRK were analyzed by immunocytochemistry (IHC) for the expression of PDGFR-alpha at 4 week after surgery. PDGFR-alpha was expressed immediately beneath the epithelial basement membrane in the anterior stroma. Double IHC studies revealed the expression of PDGFR-alpha in the anterior stroma co-localized with alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) marker for myofibroblasts. In vitro studies have suggested that PDGF is important in the development and viability of myofibroblasts after corneal injury. Expression of PDGFR-alpha in myofibroblasts supports these findings.