Fig. 1.

Lack of TrkA^NGFR mRNA in corneas of keratoconus patients. RT-PCR analysis shows that lack of TrkA^NGFR mRNA is specific for keratoconus corneas (Keratoconus, lane 2). TrkA^NGFR mRNA is detectable in all evaluated corneas: normal (Control, lane 2), bullous keratopathy (Bullous, lane 2), Fuchs' distrophy (Fuchs, lane 2), and in peripheral lymphocytes obtained from the same keratoconus patients (Lymphocytes, lane 2). The band present in Keratoconus, lane 2 corresponds to primers. Lane 1, NGF RT-PCR; lane 2, TrkA^NGFR RT-PCR; lane 3, p75^NTR RT-PCR; lane 4, H3 RT-PCR.