Expression of serotonin receptor mRNAs in human ciliary body: a polymerase chain reaction study.

Background: Previous research has indicated a role for serotonin (5-HT) in the anterior uvea of the eye. The purpose of this study was to examine whether mRNAs encoding particular 5-HT receptors are expressed in the ciliary body and iris of a number of human subjects.

Methods: The presence of mRNA encoding 5-HT receptors in four human ciliary body samples was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments using a standard methodology.

Results: Positive signals for 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2B), 5-HT(2C) and 5-HT(7) receptor mRNAs were detected in the samples prepared from various human ciliary body samples.

Conclusion: The detection of certain 5-HT receptor mRNAs in the human ciliary body supports the hypothesis that serotonin is involved in the control of aqueous dynamics and indicates that ligands acting on these 5-HT receptors may have potential use as intraocular pressure-lowering agents.