Expression of transcription factors Slug in the lens epithelial cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by connective tissue growth factor

AIMTo investigate the expression of transcription factors Slug in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).METHODSHLECs were treated with CTGF of different concentrations (20, 50 and 100 ng/mL) or without CTGF (control) for 24h. The morphological changes of HLECs were analysed by microscopy. The expression and cellular localization of Slug was evaluated by immumo-fluorescence. Expressions of Slug, E-cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were further determined by Western blot analysis.RESULTSHLECs showed spidle fibrolasts-like characteristics and loosely connected each other after CTGF treatment. The immuno-fluorescence staining indicated that Slug was localized in the nuclei and its expression was induced by CTGF. The relative expressions of Slug protein were 1.64±0.11, 1.96 ±0.03, 3.12 ±0.10, and 4.08±0.14, respectively, in response to control group and treatment with CTGF of 20, 50 and 100 ng/mL (F=443.86, P<0.01). The increased Slug protein levels were correlated well with up-expression of α-SMA (0.78±0.05, 0.85±0.06, 2.17±0.15, 2.86±0.10; F=449.85, P<0.01) and down-expression of E-cadherin (2.50±0.11, 1.79±0.26, 1.05±0.14, 0.63±0.08; F=101.55, P<0.01).CONCLUSIONTranscription factor Slug may be involved in EMT of HLECs induced by CTGF in vitro.

Scientometric analysis of published papers in global ophthalmology in the past ten years

AIM：To investigate the published papers of ophthalmology in past ten years and explore the development of ophthalmology.METHORDS：The data of this study retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded and downloaded online in November 2017,including all the papers with publication year from 2007-2016 were analyzed.The papers were based on the Web of Science category and the journals were based on the Journal Citation Report category.RESULTS：The number of ophthalmology papers increased from 7450 to 9089 during 2007 to 2017.The average rate increased 2.2% annually.USA accounts for one thirds of the total and two thirds of the highly cited papers.In Asia,China,Japan and South Korea were in Top 10 by the number of ophthalmology papers.UK,Germany,Japan and Australia also had great impact in global ophthalmology.The hot spots included endothelial growth factor,optical coherence tomography and open-angle glaucoma.CONCLUSION：USA is in the leading position in global ophthalmology.Part of Asian countries play an important role in the development of ophthalmology,but the impact needs to be improved.