[Effects of porcine pancreatic elastase-1 on elastin in human trabecular meshwork--Immunohistochemical studies:...

The aim of this study was to confirm the penetration of porcine pancreatic elastase-1 (PPE) into the aqueous humor and trabecular tissue through blood vessels. First, alpha 1-antitrypsin-elastase complex (alpha 1 A-EL) was administered to rats to determine the penetration of alpha 1 A-EL into the trabecular tissue by light microscopic analysis with immunohistochemistry and by electron microscopic analysis with protein A-gold immunohistochemical staining. Secondly, the penetration of PPE into the aqueous humor of the patients given PPE was estimated by Western blot analysis. Finally, human trabecular tissues were sectioned for electron microscopy. The sections were soaked in the aqueous humor and the changes of immunolocalization of elastin in the tissues was evaluated with protein A-gold immunohistochemical staining. The trabecular tissues of the alpha 1 A-EL-treated rats showed a positive immunoreaction under the light microscope, and labelling by gold particles was demonstrated in the trabecular tissues by electron microscope. Western blot analysis proved that there was alpha 1 A-EL in the aqueous humor obtained from PPE-administered patients, but not in the aqueous humor of control patients. The gold particles showing the presence of elastin were less abundant in the specimens exposed to the aqueous humor of PPE-administered patients than in that of control patients.