Hyaluronan localization in tissues of the mouse posterior eye wall: absence in the interphotoreceptor matrix

The distribution of hyaluronan (HA) in the posterior eye wall from the vitreous through the sclera, with special consideration to localization in the retina and interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM), was evaluated in mouse tissues using an HA specific probe (bHABC, biotinylated hyaluronan binding complex). The vitreous body was positive for HA, as was Bruch's membrane, expansive areas within the choroid, sclera and perimysial connective tissue of extraocular muscle. No HA-staining was detected in the IPM or in any other retina layer except for the basal lamina (inner limiting membrane of the retina) which abuts the vitreous. Predigestion of sections with trypsin or chondroitinase ABC before bHABC application did not produce additional HA-staining in the retina or IPM.