Cathepsin G, acid phosphatase, and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor messenger RNA levels in keratoconus corneas.

Abstract

These results indicate that the mRNA level for degradative enzymes in increased and that for alpha 1-PI it is reduced in keratoconus corneas. This study provides the first evidence that the altered expression of multiple enzymes and inhibitors in keratoconus occurs at the gene level. Furthermore, it implicates a possible role of coordinated transcriptional regulation of gene expressions in keratoconus.