EVIDENCE OF CROSS-LINK FORMATION OF VITREOUS COLLAGEN DURING EXPERIMENTAL OCULAR INFLAMMATION

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 elas ticity, accompanied by release of a water-like liquid from the gel, an d increases in the amount of insoluble material and high-molecular-wei ght components of vitreous collagen, presumably due to extensive cross -links of the collagen molecules. Those changes were partially inhibit ed by intravitreal injection of superoxide dismutase. Conclusions: The crosslinks 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.