Detection, quantification, and significance of basic fibroblast growth factor in the aqueous humor of man, cat, dog and pig.

By using a highly specific and sensitive heterologous radioimmunoassay, we determined the content of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in fresh samples of aqueous humor obtained from human (n = 18), feline (n = 8), canine (n = 12), and porcine (n = 10) eyes by paracentesis. The content of bFGF in human aqueous humor ranged from 0.480 to 1.44 ng ml-1 (mean +/- S.D. = 1.074 +/- 0.297 ng ml-1); in feline samples, from 0.672 to 1.152 ng ml-1 (1.016 +/- 0.158 ng ml-1); in canine samples, from 0.640 to 1.232 ng ml-1 (1.026 +/- 0.171 ng ml-1); and in porcine samples, from 0.627 to 0.957 ng ml-1 (0.728 +/- 0.115 ng ml-1). These values were confirmed by means of a dot/slot-blot technique. For all species, the aqueous samples had normal protein levels that ranged from 5 to 19 mg dl-1. There was no correlation of the content of bFGF with the level of protein or with age of the human subjects. The similarity in the concentrations of bFGF in the aqueous humor as well as the stability of the blood-aqueous barriers of all four species indicate that cats, dogs, and pigs can serve as suitable animal models for the study of the role of bFGF in health and disease. We suggest the possible involvement of bFGF in the pathogenesis of anterior-segment disorders, such as neovascular glaucoma, and in the wound-healing response of limbal tissues after glaucoma filtration surgery.