Vitreous changes during ocular inflammation induced by interleukin 1 beta.

To determine the mechanisms of vitreous changes during ocular inflammation, we investigated these changes, focusing on the collagen, in an experimental model of ocular inflammation induced by intravitreal injection of interleukin 1 beta in rabbits. Inflammation caused gel contraction, with release of a watery liquid from the gel, and increases in the amount of insoluble material and high-molecular-weight components of the vitreous collagen, presumably due to extensive cross-links of the collagen molecules. The cross-links of vitreous collagen may promote vitreous gel contraction and the release of watery liquid from the gel.