Evidence of cross-link formation of vitreous collagen during experimental ocular inflammation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mechanisms of vitreous changes during ocular inflammation.


METHODS
We investigated vitreous changes, with special emphasis on collagen, in an experimental model of ocular inflammation induced by intravitreal injection of endotoxin (Escherichia coli) in rabbits.


RESULTS
Inflammation caused gel contraction and loss of elasticity, accompanied by release of a water-like liquid from the gel, and increases in the amount of insoluble material and high-molecular-weight components of vitreous collagen, presumably due to extensive cross-links of the collagen molecules. Those changes were partially inhibited by intravitreal injection of superoxide dismutase.


CONCLUSIONS
The cross-links of vitreous collagen may promote vitreous gel contraction and release of a water-like liquid from the gel. Superoxide anion may play a role in this process.
Hikichi
T
T
Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Mass., USA.
Ueno
N
N
Chakrabarti
B
B
Trempe
C L
CL
Yoshida
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004548:Elasticity; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004731:Endotoxins; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D004731:Endotoxins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C044101:endotoxin, Escherichia coli; D003094:Collagen; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase