Reduced expression of the gap junction protein Connexin 43 in keratoconus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to examine whether keratoconus, which is a bilateral noninflammatory corneal ectasia with multifactorial aetiology, shows altered expression of Connexin (Cx43). Cx43 is an important gap junction protein that contributes crucially to epithelial and stromal integrity of cornea.


METHODS
Eight keratoconic human corneal buttons were examined with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and compared with eight normal human corneal buttons, to unravel changes in Cx43 expression.


RESULTS
All normal corneas exhibited similar epithelial Cx43 expression patterns, with the protein located in the basal epithelial layer. In contrast, some keratoconic corneas showed an altered pattern of immunostaining and Western blotting confirmed a decreased expression of Cx43 in keratoconic corneas.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that a decrease in Cx43 amount together with functional alteration of the protein is associated with keratoconus pathophysiology However, these changes apply only to some of the corneas examined and may not generally account for the development of keratoconus.
Gatzioufas
Z
Z
Department of Experimental Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Charalambous
P
P
Thanos
S
S
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D005136:Eye Proteins