Pterygium is one of the most common eye disorders without any clear etiology. Some studies have suggested an association between sun exposure and pterygium, but others have proposed the role of genetic variations in its pathogenesis. To date, no study has investigated the association of inflammatory transcription factor, NFκB genes with pterygium in the Middle East.

We examined the changes in expression of 3 inflammatory related NFκB1, NFκB2, and RelA genes in patients with pterygium. Thirty patients with pterygium and 30 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled in this case-control study. None of the participants showed any clinical signs of inflammation in their conjunctiva. Demographic information was obtained and the expression levels of three genes including NFκB1, NFκB2, and RelA were measured in their conjunctiva by real-time RT-PCR using gene-specific primers.

Relative expression level of NFκB1, NFκB2 and RelA genes in patients were 2, 1.88, and 1.81 times higher than normal subjects, respectively. Higher levels of gene expression were observed in individuals with more outdoor activity and sun exposure. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the expression levels of NFκB2 and RelA genes, suggesting a possible NFκB2- RelA heterodimer formation in patients with pterygium.

This study has indicated a significant association between expressions of inflammatory-related NFκB1, NFκB2 and RelA genes, and pterygium. Further studies to verify the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of pterygium, may provide new targets for managing pterygia.