Figure 3. Nerve growth factor modulated the expression of MUC5AC mRNA. The results of Real-time PCR showed that the expression of MUC5AC mRNA was upregulated significantly after the limbal epithelial cells were cultured in the medium containing 100 ng/ml nerve growth factor, compared to the control group (0 ng/ml). The levels of MUC5AC mRNA were time-dependent with 100 ng/ml nerve growth factor.