Microarray-based analysis of gene expression profiles in peripheral blood of patients with acute primary angle closure

<i>Background</i>: We investigated the expression of molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of patients with acute primary angle closure (APAC). <i>Materials and methods</i>: Peripheral blood was collected from patients with APAC (<i>n</i> = 10) and age-matched controls (<i>n</i> = 5). The gene transcription profile was analyzed in PBMCs using microarrays and validated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The levels of secreted proteins were evaluated in plasma by ELISA. <i>Results</i>: 347 gene transcripts were up-regulated by 2-fold or more, and 696 transcripts down-regulated 2-fold or more in PBMCs from patients compared to controls. The most highly up-regulated gene was thrombospondin-1 (<i>TSP-1</i>, 8.66-fold increase), and the most down-regulated gene was prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (<i>PTGS2</i>, 9.09-fold decrease). Real-time RT-PCR assay confirmed the increase of <i>TSP-1</i> and the decrease of <i>PTGS2</i> in PBMCs of patients. ELISA revealed that the levels of <i>TSP-1</i> and active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 that is activated by <i>TSP-1</i> were elevated in plasma of patients, while the level of prostaglandin E2 (<i>PGE2</i>) that is converted by <i>PTGS2</i> was reduced. The plasma level of <i>TSP-1</i> was positively correlated with that of active <i>TGF-β1</i>. <i>Conclusions</i>: Our data suggest that the molecular network including <i>TSP-1, TGF-β1</i>, and <i>PGE2</i> might be involved in the pathogenesis of APAC and PACG.