Human epithelium from conjunctival impression cytology expresses MUC7 mucin gene.

PURPOSE

To prove that noninvasive methods of obtaining conjunctival tissue, such as conjunctival impression cytology (CIC), could be valid alternatives that are simpler, faster, and more convenient for patients than biopsy to analyze mRNA levels of mucin genes.

METHODS

Using the semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we studied the presence of the mucin genes described on the ocular surface thus far and attempted to detect the presence of MUC7 in CIC samples from 10 healthy donors.

RESULTS

Conjunctival cells recovered by CIC expressed all the genes studied. There were no statistically significant differences between male and female subjects, and there was a significant correlation between the two eyes of the same donor only in the expression of MUC7.

CONCLUSION

CIC is a valid, noninvasive technique to detect the mRNAs of ocular genes in healthy individuals. MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC7 mucin genes could be all detected in each CIC sample. This technique may be a useful tool to study the expression of some genes in ocular diseases.