Distribution of thrombospondin-4 in the bovine eye.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) in the bovine eye.


METHODS
Anterior and posterior segments of the bovine eyes were sectioned and stained by the indirect immunofluorescence method with an anti-TSP-4 antibody. The tissues were analyzed by reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine where the TSP-4 mRNA is produced.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining for TSP-4 indicated the presence of TSP-4 in the cornea (epithelium, basement membrane, and keratocytes), conjunctiva (epithelium and stroma), aqueous ducts, sclera, iris (stroma), ciliary processes and muscle, trabecular meshwork, Bruch's membrane, retina, lamina cribrosa, and optic nerve, and in all blood vessel walls. TSP-4 mRNA was expressed by the cells in all structures.


CONCLUSIONS
TSP-4 is widely distributed in the bovine eye where it may play a role in the functions of basement membranes in various tissues. It is abundant in the trabecular and uveo-scleral pathways and may play a role in the regulation of aqueous outflow resistance.
Si
Zhaomin
Z
LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. apalka@lsuhsc.edu
Palkama
Arto
A
Gebhardt
Bryan M
BM
Velasquez
Diana
D
Galeano
Maria J
MJ
Beuerman
Roger W
RW
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D019699:Thrombospondins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D019699:Thrombospondins; C101864:thrombospondin 4