Abstract
Purpose. The molecular mechanisms for the decreased content of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the trabecular meshwork (TM) of primary open angle glaucoma eyes may involve changes in the expression, activation, and/or post-translational modification of the HA receptor CD44, which is expressed as cell-specific isoforms containing from one to ten alternatively spliced exons v1-v10 inserted within the extracellular domains. Methods. The CD44 variants of normal human post-mortem ethanol-fixed anterior segments were investigated using a panel of CD44 antibodies (CD44H, v3, v4/5, v6) on wedge resections of the TM (immunocytochemistry) and microdissected anterior segment tissues (Western blot). Results. TM endothelial and juxtacanalicular tissue cells were strongly positive for CD44H, slightly positive for v3, and negative for v6. Only the juxtacanalicular tissue cells were positive for v4/5. Conclusions. Modifications of CD44 in the human TM and adjacent tissues are cell-specific; the CD44 v3 isoform, which has a decreased affinity binding for HA, may influence the composition of the extracellular matrix and HA content of both the TM and the juxtacanalicular tissue cells.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S822 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - Feb 15 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
- Sensory Systems
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience