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Macromolecular Differences in the Extracellular Matrix Between Normal and Keratoconus Human Corneas: An Ex Vivo
Murilo B Peres1, Joyce L Covre1, Larissa R da Rosa1
1Departamento de Oftalmologia e Ciências Visuais da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, Brazil.
Current Eye Research
|December 9, 2025
Summary
Keratoconus corneas show altered extracellular matrix composition, with decreased non-collagenous proteins but relatively increased keratan sulfate, decorin, and lumican levels. Decorin also exhibited increased glycosylation in keratoconus.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
- Extracellular Matrix Biology
Background:
- Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive thinning disorder of the cornea.
- The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in maintaining corneal structure and function.
- Alterations in ECM composition are implicated in the pathogenesis of KC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively and qualitatively analyze proteoglycans and other ECM macromolecules in normal (NL) and KC human corneas.
- To identify specific molecular changes in the corneal ECM associated with KC.
Main Methods:
- Human corneal tissues from NL and KC donors were utilized.
- Macromolecules were extracted and analyzed using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and ELISA.
- Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were employed to assess macromolecular distribution.
Main Results:
- Western blotting confirmed the presence of keratan sulfate (KS), decorin, and lumican in both NL and KC corneas, with structural differences in decorin in KC.
- Total protein concentration was lower in KC corneas.
- While KS, decorin, and lumican levels did not differ when normalized by corneal weight, they were higher when normalized by extracted protein in KC corneas, suggesting a relative increase.
Conclusions:
- KC corneas exhibit a decrease in non-collagenous proteins.
- Levels of decorin, lumican, and KS are relatively increased in KC corneas.
- Decorin in KC corneas is significantly more glycosylated, indicating post-translational modification differences.
