T. Kubota et al., DOUBLE STAINING OF PROTEOGLYCANS AND THE HNK-1 CARBOHYDRATE EPITOPE IN PSEUDOEXFOLIATION MATERIAL, Current eye research, 17(1), 1998, pp. 60-64
Purpose. We combined the techniques of both immunogold and cupromeroni
c-blue straining with electron microscopy to investigate the possible
relationship between proteoglycans and thee I-INK-I carbohydrate epito
pe in pseudoexfoliation material. Methods. The anterior segment was ob
tained from an enucleated eye with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. After c
upromeronic-blue staining, following the method of Scott, specimens we
re embedded in L. R. White resin. Ultrathin sections were incubated su
ccessively in primary monoclonal antibodies, and 10 nm gold-conjugated
secondary antibody. Results. The present study showed simultaneous pr
esence of the HNK-1 epitope and proteoglycans associated with zonular
fibrils and pseudoexfoliation material on the posterior surface of the
iris. The HNK-1 epitope was immunolocalized to the periphery of the p
seudoexfoliation fibers, while cupromeronic blue-positive filaments br
idged adjacent pseudoexfoliation fibers. Conclusions. Proteoglycans an
d the HNK-1 epitope might play a substantial role In the formation of
pseudoexfoliation material via their adhesive function. Proteoglycans
probably do not directly bear the HNK-1 epitope in pseudoexfoliation m
aterial.