Immunohistochemical studies of glycosaminoglycans in nanophthalmic sclera.

BACKGROUND

It has been observed that there may be some connection between scleral collagen changes, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) changes and nanophthalmic uveal effusion. In a previous paper we reported increased dermatan sulfate (DS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) contents in nanophthalmos sclera using biochemical analysis. In the present work we used immunohistochemical methods to assess the GAG changes in nanophthalmos sclera.

METHODS

Scleral specimens from three nanophthalmic patients and five controls were processed to immunostaining with peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) methods. Monoclonal antibodies for chondroitin (Ch), chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S), chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S), DS and keratan sulfate (KS) were used. The specimens were observed under a light microscope.

RESULTS

Nanophthalmos scleral samples exhibited strong KS staining compared with the control specimens. Both the nanophthalmos and the control samples were stained with anti-Ch, anti-C4S, anti-C6S and anti-DS antibodies to the same intensity.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that an increased or abnormal distribution of KS may contribute to abnormalities in collagen fibers.