Expression of glycosaminoglycans during development of the rat retina.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the spatiotemporal expression of glycosaminoglycans during development of the rat retina.


METHODS
Hyaluronan and sulfated glycosaminoglycans, including chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate and keratan sulfate were detected using biotinylated hyaluronan binding protein, immunohistochemical analysis, respectively, in the rat retina at various stages of development.


RESULTS
Hyaluronan was expressed in the nerve fiber layer, inner plexiform layer and outer plexiform layer during early postnatal stages (postnatal day 1-14; P1-P14) and was undetectable after P21. In contrast, hyaluronan was faintly observed in the photoreceptor layer on P7, and gradually increased up to P49. The spatiotemporal expression pattern of chondroitin sulfate was similar to that of hyaluronan. Heparan sulfate was also detected in the nerve fiber layer, inner plexiform layer and outer plexiform layer during early postnatal stages (P1-P14). In addition, heparan sulfate was expressed in the inner limiting membrane during all stages of development. Keratan sulfate was not detected in the retina at any stage of development.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate are expressed in nerve fiber-rich layers during early postnatal stages and may regulate neurite outgrowth. In adulthood, both hyaluronan and chondroitin sulfate are expressed in the photoreceptor layer and may consist of the interphotoreceptor matrix. In addition, heparan sulfate is expressed in the inner limiting membrane throughout the various stages of development and may be associated with the structure of the inner limiting membrane.
Koga
Takahisa
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan. takakoga@fc.kuh.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
Inatani
Masaru
M
Hirata
Akira
A
Inomata
Yasuya
Y
Oohira
Atsuhiko
A
Gotoh
Tomomi
T
Mori
Masataka
M
Tanihara
Hidenobu
H
D000818:Animals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007632:Keratan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D007632:Keratan Sulfate