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Evidence of cross-link formation of vitreous collagen during experimental ocular inflammation
T Hikichi1, N Ueno, B Chakrabarti
1Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, Mass., USA.
Purpose:
To determine the mechanisms of vitreous changes during ocular inflammation.
Methods:
We investigated vitreous changes, with special emphasis on collagen, in an experimental model of ocular inflammation induced by intravitreal injection of endotoxin (Escherichia coli) in rabbits.
Results:
Inflammation caused gel contraction and loss of elasticity, accompanied by release of a water-like liquid from the gel, and increases in the amount of insoluble material and high-molecular-weight components of vitreous collagen, presumably due to extensive cross-links of the collagen molecules. Those changes were partially inhibited by intravitreal injection of superoxide dismutase.
Conclusions:
The cross-links of vitreous collagen may promote vitreous gel contraction and release of a water-like liquid from the gel. Superoxide anion may play a role in this process.