Alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in normal human and keratoconus corneas. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1994 Nov;35(12):4008-14
Date
11/01/1994Pubmed ID
7525507Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0027946938 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 74 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: To compare the levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin, one of the major proteinase inhibitors, in corneas with keratoconus to those in normal human corneas and corneas with other diseases.
METHODS: An immunoperoxidase technique was used to visualize the presence of alpha 2-macroglobulin in the corneas. Western blot analysis was performed, and the levels of this inhibitor in extracts of keratoconus and normal human corneas were subsequently analyzed by a dot blot assay.
RESULTS: alpha 2-Macroglobulin was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the epithelium, stroma, and endothelium of all corneal sections. Compared with normal human control specimens, the staining intensity in the epithelium of keratoconus corneas was markedly reduced. The majority of scarred and other diseased corneas exhibited normal staining intensity for alpha 2-macroglobulin. Dot blot assays showed that the alpha 2-macroglobulin levels in the epithelial and stromal extracts of keratoconus corneas were lower than those found in normal human control counterparts.
CONCLUSION: Keratoconus corneas contained a reduced level of alpha 2-macroglobulin. This result lends further support to the hypothesis that degradation processes may be aberrant in keratoconus.
Author List
Sawaguchi S, Twining SS, Yue BY, Chang SH, Zhou X, Loushin G, Sugar J, Feder RSAuthor
Sally S. Twining PhD Assistant Dean, Professor in the Biochemistry department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Blotting, Western
Child
Child, Preschool
Cornea
Corneal Diseases
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Infant
Keratoconus
Middle Aged
alpha-Macroglobulins