Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Isolation of Intact Eyeball to Obtain Integral Ocular Surface Tissue for Histological Examination and Immunohistochemistry
Published on: October 20, 2019
[Histochemical studies of glycosaminoglycans in the developing eyelids of experimental microphthalmic (Cts) mice]
1Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Japan.
Purpose:
The Cts mouse is a mutant strain which induces congenital cataract and small eyes in homozygotes. The process of eyelid development in Cts mice was examined histochemically.
Materials And Methods:
Prenatal (from day 14 of gestation) and postnatal (to day 14) animals of unaffected and homozygous mice were examined. Sensitized high iron diamine staining was done after chondroitinase B/testicular hyaluronidase double digestion, and sensitized low iron diamine staining was done after Streptomyces hyaluronidase digestion.
Results:
The main chondroitin sulfate isomer in the dermis of the eyelid changed from chondroitin sulfate A/C to chondroitin sulfate B at birth in the unaffected mice. In the homozygotes, the same change took place 4 days after birth. In the dermis of the eyelid, hyaluronic acid was first detected on day 14 of gestation and gradually increased until birth in both unaffected and homozygous mice. There was slightly more hyaluronic acid in homozygous mice until 4 days after birth.
Conclusion:
The present study showed that the maturation of glycosaminoglycan molecular species in the eyelid was retarded in Cts homozygotes.
Insights
Congenital cataract and small eyes in Cts mice are linked to delayed eyelid development. Glycosaminoglycan maturation in the eyelid dermis is significantly retarded in these homozygotes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Context:
- The Cts mouse model exhibits congenital cataracts and microphthalmia.
- Eyelid development is crucial for ocular health and function.
- Understanding the molecular basis of Cts-induced developmental defects is important.
Purpose:
- To investigate the histochemical changes in eyelid development in Cts mutant mice.
- To analyze the maturation of glycosaminoglycans during prenatal and postnatal eyelid development.
Summary:
- In unaffected mice, eyelid dermis glycosaminoglycans shift from chondroitin sulfate A/C to B at birth.
- Cts homozygotes show this shift delayed by 4 days post-birth.
- Hyaluronic acid accumulation occurs similarly in both groups, with a slight increase in homozygotes initially.
Impact:
- Reveals a developmental delay in glycosaminoglycan maturation in Cts homozygotes.
- Provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying Cts-related ocular abnormalities.
- Contributes to understanding the role of glycosaminoglycans in eyelid morphogenesis.
