[The extracellular matrix structure in keratoconus].
OBJECTIVE
Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory disease characterized by progressive thinning of the central cornea. There are indications for an autosomal dominant heredity. Our purpose was to find correlations between gene expression and structural changes in extracellular matrix components.


METHODS
Stromal RNA (keratoconus and comparison) was isolated from corneas, transformed to cRNA and analysed using biochips (Affymetrix). Structural investigations were performed by laser scanning and transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
In keratoconus corneas there was an upregulation of different extracellular matrix components (collagen XV, metalloproteases) and a down-regulation of collagen IV (alpha1, alpha3) and versican. The morphological changes correlated to genetic obtained data. The orthogonal arrangement of the collagen fibrills (anteriorly and central) was altered in the collagen matrix of keratoconus corneas.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes point on deregulation of the matrix arrangement. The interest in the cause of the disease is focused on the interfibrillar arrangement, the interaction between collagen and proteoglucanes.
Stachs
O
O
Augenklinik, Universität Rostock. oliver.stachs@med.uni-rostock.de
Bochert
A
A
Gerber
T
T
Koczan
D
D
Thiessen
H J
HJ
Guthoff
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D005799:Genes, Dominant / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis