Transforming growth factor-beta-stimulated connective tissue growth factor expression during corneal myofibroblast differentiation.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta) stimulates the differentiation of myofibroblasts as indicated by the nascent expression of alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SM) actin protein and its organization into stress fibers. Downstream messengers of TGF-beta in the conversion from the fibroblast to the myofibroblast phenotype were investigated. Whether TGF-beta increases the transcription of a second growth factor, connective tissue growth factor 1 (CTGF), which could mediate myofibroblast differentiation, was evaluated.

Fibroblast growth factor reversal of the corneal myofibroblast phenotype.

Purpose: Keratocytes give rise to fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in wounded cornea. It is well established that treatment of fibroblasts with transforming growth factor (TGF) beta will induce myofibroblast differentiation. We investigated whether this differentiation could be reversed by the administration of fibroblast growth factor (FGF).

Deletion (13)(q22) with multiple congenital anomalies, hydranencephaly and penoscrotal transposition.

We report on a neonate with multiple congenital anomalies and hydranencephaly. His chromosome constitution was 46,XY, del(13)(q22). This case further delineates the phenotypic variation of deletion distal 13q- syndrome.