@article {560181,
	title = {Mitochondrial Profile and Responses to TGF-β Ligands in Keratoconus.},
	journal = {Curr Eye Res},
	volume = {41},
	number = {7},
	year = {2016},
	month = {2016 Jul},
	pages = {900-7},
	abstract = {PURPOSE: Keratoconus (KC) is a complex corneal dystrophy with multifactorial etiology. Previous studies have shown evidence of mitochondrial abnormalities in KC; however, the exact cause of these abnormalities remains unknown. The aim of this study was to identify if transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) isoforms play a role in the regulation of mitochondrial proteins in human KC cells (HKC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human corneal fibroblasts (HCF) and HKC were isolated and cultured for 4 weeks in three different conditions: (a) CONTROL: MEM + 10\%FBS, (b) MEM + 10\%FBS + TGF-β1 and (c) MEM + 10\%FBS + TGF-β3. All samples were processed for mitochondrial damage analysis using real-time PCR. RESULTS: We quantified and analyzed 84 mitochondrial and five housekeeping genes in HCFs and HKCs. Our data showed that when TGF-β1 and/or TGF-β3 were compared with control in HCFs, nine genes were significantly different; however, no genes were significantly regulated by the TGF-β isoforms in HKCs. Significant differences were also seen in seven genes when HFCs were compared with HKCs, in all three conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our data support the growing consensus that mitochondrial dysfunction is a key player in KC disease. These in vitro data show clear links between mitochondrial function and TGF-β isoforms, with TGF-β1 severely disrupting KC-mitochondrial function, while TGF-β3 maintained it, thus suggesting that TGF-β may play a role in KC-disease treatment.},
	issn = {1460-2202},
	doi = {10.3109/02713683.2015.1078361},
	author = {Sarker-Nag, Akhee and Hutcheon, Audrey E K and Karamichos, Dimitrios}
}
