PMID: 11923248Mar 30, 2002Paper

Distribution of myocilin and extracellular matrix components in the juxtacanalicular tissue of human eyes

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Jun UedaBeatrice Y J T Yue

Abstract

To examine ultrastructurally the composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) materials, the distribution of myocilin, and the colocalization of myocilin with ECM components in the juxtacanalicular tissue (JCT) of normal human eyes. Postembedding immunoelectron microscopic studies were performed with antibodies specific for major ECM components, including fibronectin, laminin, vitronectin, tenascin, elastin, fibrillin-1, microfibril-associated glycoprotein (MAGP)-1, decorin, versican, and five types of collagen (I, III, IV, V, and VI). Hyaluronic acid was localized with the use of biotinylated hyaluronic acid-binding protein. Colloidal gold labeling was also performed using an anti-human myocilin polyclonal antibody. Colocalization of myocilin with ECM components was examined by double labeling, using different-sized gold particles. The possible interaction between myocilin and ECM molecules was evaluated by in vitro binding assays. Amorphous basement membrane-like materials in the JCT were confirmed to be made up chiefly of collagen type IV, laminin, and fibronectin. Elastin was localized to the central core of sheath-derived plaques. Fibronectin, fibrillin-1, MAGP-1, decorin, and type VI collagen were all localized to clusters o...Continue Reading

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