Prx proteins were identified in human corneal endothelium. The fact that Prx-2 and -3 were expressed at significantly higher levels in HCEC-DM compared with the epithelium/stroma reflects the different physiologic activities of individual corneal cell types. Significantly decreased expression of Prx-2, -3, and -5 in FED may suggest an alteration in the ability of endothelial cells to withstand oxidant-induced damage and may be closely related to the pathogenesis of this disease.

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Purpose To investigate the differential expression of TGFBIp in normal human and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) endothelial cell-Descemet’s membrane (HCEC-DM) complex, and to asses the structural role of TGFBIp and clusterin (CLU) in guttae formation. Methods HCEC-DM complex was dissected from stroma in normal and FECD samples. Proteins were separated by 2-D gel electrophoresis and subjected to proteomic analysis. N-terminal processing of TGFBIp was detected by Western blotting utilizing two separate antibodies against the N- and C- terminal regions of TGFBIp. Expression of TGFBI mRNA was compared using real-time PCR. Subcellular localization of TGFBIp and CLU in corneal guttae was assessed by fluorescence confocal microscopy. Results A major 68-kDa fragment and a minor 39-kDa fragment of TGFBIp were identified on 2-D gels. Western blotting revealed an age-dependent proteolytic processing of the TGFBIp N-terminus resulting in the increased formation of 57-kDa (p=0.04) and 39-kDa (p=0.03) fragments in older donors. FECD HCEC-DM showed a significant increase in the 68-kDa (p=0.04), 57-kDa (p=0.01), and 39-kDa (p=0.03) fragments of TGFBIp. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that TGFBI mRNA was significantly increased (p=0.04) in FECD samples. TGFBIp formed aggregates at the lower portions of guttae, next to the Descemet’s membrane, while CLU localized mostly on top of the TGFBIp-stained areas at the level of the endothelial cell nuclear plane. Conclusion The overexpression of pro-aggregative protein CLU, and pro-adhesive protein TGFBIp, have been co-localized in the guttae. Such findings provide us with a better understanding of the major contributors involved in the aberrant cell-extracellular matrix interactions seen in the guttae of FECD patients.

CLU expression is markedly elevated in FED-affected tissue, pointing to a yet undiscovered form of dysregulation of endothelial cell function involved in FED pathogenesis.

These data support the hypothesis that calpain is activated under conditions of elevated intraocular pressure and provide further details of the pathologic events leading to RGC loss in glaucoma.

Full-thickness corneal wounds (2 mm diameter) were produced in rabbits at the Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston. These wounds were allowed to heal for periods ranging from 3 weeks to 21 months. The scar tissue was examined using low- and wide-angle x-ray diffraction from which average values were calculated for 1) the center-to-center collagen fibril spacing, 2) the fibril diameter, 3) the collagen axial periodicity D, and 4) the intermolecular spacing within the collagen fibrils. Selected samples were processed for transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the average spacing between collagen fibrils within the healing tissue remained slightly elevated after 21 months and there was a small increase in the fibril diameter. The collagen D-periodicity was unchanged. There was a significant drop in the intermolecular spacing in the scar tissues up to 6 weeks, but thereafter the spacing returned to normal. The first-order equatorial reflection in the low-angle pattern was visible after 3 weeks and became sharper and more intense with time, suggesting that, as healing progressed, the number of nearest neighbor fibrils increased and the distribution of nearest neighbor spacings reduced. This corresponded to the fibrils becoming more ordered although, even after 21 months, normal packing was not achieved. Ultrastructural changes in collagen fibril density measured from electron micrographs were consistent with the increased order of fibril packing measured by x-ray diffraction. The results suggest that collagen molecules have a normal axial and lateral arrangement within the fibrils of scar tissue. The gradual reduction in the spread of interfibrillar spacings may be related to the progressive decrease in the light scattered from the tissue as the wound heals.

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Postoperative pain is significantly lower with PRFE therapy. According to the findings, PRFE therapy in this form is an excellent, safe, drug-free method of postoperative pain control.