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Changes in conjunctival clusterin expression in severe ocular surface disease
Takahiro Nakamura1, Kohji Nishida, Atsuyoshi Dota
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. tnakamur@ophth.kpu-m.ac.jp
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|May 31, 2002
Summary
Clusterin, a protein crucial for ocular surface health, is significantly reduced in severe eye diseases causing keratinization. This suggests clusterin plays a key role in maintaining the non-keratinized state of the ocular surface epithelium.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Molecular Biology
- Epithelial Biology
Background:
- Clusterin is a gene transcript found in human ocular surface epithelia and mucosal tissues.
- It is absent in keratinized epithelia like the epidermis.
- Pathologic keratinization of the ocular surface leads to severe visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of clusterin in conjunctivalized corneas affected by severe ocular surface disease.
- To understand the role of clusterin in maintaining the non-keratinized ocular surface epithelium.
Main Methods:
- Examined conjunctiva from eight eyes with ocular surface disease (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid) exhibiting keratinization.
- Utilized semiquantitative RT-PCR to assess clusterin gene expression.
- Employed immunohistochemistry to determine clusterin protein distribution.
Main Results:
- Clusterin mRNA levels were significantly lower in diseased ocular surfaces compared to normal controls.
- Clusterin protein was markedly decreased in keratinized conjunctiva.
Conclusions:
- Clusterin expression is substantially reduced in pathological, keratinized ocular surface epithelium.
- This reduction suggests clusterin is vital for preserving the non-keratinizing nature of the ocular surface epithelium.