Expression of estrogen receptor [alpha] and 17[beta]-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 in the ciliary body

To investigate the expression and distribution of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 (HSD4) in bovine and monkey ciliary body. Immunohistochemical study was employed to investigate the expression of ERalpha and 17beta-HSD4. To detect ERalpha and 17beta-HSD4 transcripts, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used. In bovine and monkey ciliary body, the staining of the anti-ERalpha antibody was distributed in nonpigmented epithelium, and was not detectable in pigmented epithelium. Vessels in the stroma were also stained. The expression of 17beta-HSD4 was observed in nonpigmented and pigmented epithelium. RT-PCR revealed that the transcripts of ERalpha and 17beta-HSD4 were expressed in monkey ciliary body. This study provides evidence for the presence of ERalpha and 17beta- HSD4 in the ciliary body. The presence of ERalpha and 17beta-HSD4 suggests that estrogen may have important functions in the ciliary body.