title: Preservation of the structure of enzymatically-degraded bovine vitreous using synthetic proteoglycan mimics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vitreous liquefaction and subsequent posterior vitreous detachment can lead to several sight-threatening diseases, including retinal detachment, macular hole and macular traction syndrome, nuclear cataracts, and possibly, open-angle glaucoma. In this study, we tested the ability of three novel synthetic chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan mimics to preserve the structure and physical properties of enzymatically-degraded bovine vitreous.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan mimics, designed to bind to type II collagen, hyaluronic acid, or both, were applied to trypsin- or collagenase-treated bovine vitreous in situ and in vitro. Rheology and liquefaction tests were performed to determine the physical properties of the vitreous, while Western blots were used to detect the presence and degradation of soluble collagen II (α1). Deep-etch electron microscopy (DEEM) identified the ultrastructure of mimic-treated and untreated enzyme-degraded bovine vitreous.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proteoglycan mimics preserved the physical properties of trypsin-degraded bovine vitreous and protected against vitreous liquefaction. Although the collagen-binding mimic maintained the physical properties of collagenase-treated vitreous, liquefaction still occurred. Western blots indicated that the mimic provided only marginal protective ability against soluble collagen degradation. Deep-etch electron microscopy, however, showed increased density and isotropy of microstructural components in mimic-treated vitreous, supporting the initial result that vitreous structure was preserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Proteoglycan mimics preserved bovine vitreous physical properties after enzymatic degradation. These compounds may be useful in delaying or preventing the pathological effects of age-related, or enzymatically-induced, degradation of the vitreous body.
authors.affiliation: Eye Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Qianru
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Benjamen A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Filas
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heuser
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States.
authors.forename: Shaili
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States.
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panitch
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Beebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
authors.forename: Ying-Bo
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Shui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024043:Collagen Type II / Q000032:analysis; D017364:Collagenases / Q000494:pharmacology; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D024043:Collagen Type II; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D017364:Collagenases
keywords: chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan mimics; vitreous degeneration; vitreous liquefaction; vitreous structure