title: Age-dependent change in the hyaluronic acid content of the human chorioretinal complex.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hyaluronic acid (HA) has a key role in the structure and organization of the extracellular matrix. We sought to identify the distribution of HA in human eye tissue with regard to age using a biotinylated HA-binding protein.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fetal and adult (from donors ranging from 28 to 94 years of age) eye tissues were fixed less than 24 hours post mortem and embedded in JB-4 medium (Polysciences, Warrington, Pa). Sections of 2-microns thickness were used. Control sections were pretreated either with Streptomyces hyaluronidase or HA-binding protein inactivated by HA. The binding of the protein to HA was detected with avidinbiotin alkaline phosphatase and developed by incubation with naphthol as-mx phosphate and Texas Red Salt (Pierce, Rockford, Ill).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific staining for HA was observed in fetal eyes in the choroid, Bruch's membrane, sclera, retinal pigment epithelium, and developing retina from the vitreoretinal interface to the inner plexiform layer. Specific staining decreased with age in the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, and Bruch's membrane. Hyaluronic acid-specific staining was undetectable in tissues from donors over 50 years of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The localization of HA in the chorioretinal complex and its disappearance after the fifth decade of life may play a role in aging and age-related retinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Sensory and Electrophysiology Research Unit, Touro Infirmary, New Orleans, La.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shuster
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Newsome
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D002829:Choroid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012590:Sclera / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid