Regional and zonal variations in the sulfation patterns of chondroitin sulfate in normal equine corneal stroma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine regional and zonal variation in sulfation patterns of chondroitin sulfate in normal equine corneal stroma.


METHODS
22 normal eyes from 11 horses.


METHODS
Corneas were collected within 24 hours of death from equine necropsy specimens. After papain-chondroitinase digestion of corneal tissue, disaccharides deltaDi4S and deltaDi6S were quantified by use of capillary zone electrophoresis in the superficial, middle, and deep zones of central and peripheral regions of the cornea.


RESULTS
For the 2 regions combined, deltaDi6S/deltaDi4S values were significantly lower in the deep and middle zones, compared with that of the superficial zone. In the central region, deep and middle zones had significantly lower deltaDi6S/deltaDi4S values than the superficial zone did. In the peripheral region, the deep zone had significantly lower deltaDi6S/deltaDi4S values, compared with superficial and middle zones. In the deep zone, the peripheral region had significantly lower deltaDi6S/deltaDi4S values than the central region did.


CONCLUSIONS
Distribution of deltaDi6S/deltaDi4S values follows a gradient across the healthy equine cornea, being smallest in the deep and middle zones of the central region and the deep zone of the peripheral region. Regional and zonal differences in the distribution of stromal deltaDi6S and deltaDi4S may influence the role of glycosaminoglycans in health, disease, and wound repair of the equine cornea.
Biros
Daniel J
DJ
Department of Large and Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Brooks
Dennis E
DE
Brown
Murray P
MP
Merritt
Kelly A
KA
Kubilis
Paul S
PS
D000818:Animals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry*; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000737:chemistry*; D006736:Horses / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values
D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates