CHONDROITIN SULFATE IS A MAJOR PROTEOGLYCAN CONSTITUENT OF HUMAN CAMERAL MUCOUS GEL

The presence of chondroitin- and heparan sulfate-containing proteoglyc ans and type IV collagen was searched for in human cameral mucous gel (CMG). Monoclonal antibodies specific for human heparan sulfate, chond roitin sulfate and collagen IV were used in ultrathin sections of Lowi cryl-embedded human CMG. Only chondroitin sulfate is revealed with thi s method. Heparan sulfate and collagen IV were not elicited by the mon oclonal antibodies. We conclude that chondroitin sulfate is a major co mponent of the proteoglycans of human CMG, where it may contribute to the colloidosmotic properties of the gel and play a role in the outflo w of aqueous humor.