Immunocytochemical localization of vascular endothelial growth factor in neurons and glial cells of human retina.

In order to establish the cellular and subcellular localization of the chemokine protein, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or vascular permeability factor, in adult human retina, we employed immunocytochemistry with double immunolabeling, using a primary antibody to amino acids 1-10 of VEGF, together with antibodies to vimentin (intermediate filaments, labeling Müller cells) or to neuron-specific enolase (labeling retinal neurons). In adult human retina, VEGF-like immunoreactivity (VEGF-IR) is found in Müller cell processes, where typically it is found in the cytoplasm in close association with Vimentin-labeled (VM-IR) intermediate filaments. VEGF-IR is sometimes found diffusely in Müller cell bodies and nuclei.

Congenital corneal opacification in De Barsy syndrome.

A newborn male was noted to have bilateral congenital corneal opacification. Findings from examination disclosed a variety of dysmorphic features, including cutis laxa, progeroid aspect, short stature, multiple hyperextensible subluxated joints, muscular hypotonia, and hyperreflexia. Bilateral penetrating keratoplasties were performed; histopathologic examination revealed diffuse epithelial thickening, loss of the Bowman layer, and stromal attenuation with anterior stromal scarring.

Immunolocalization of beta ig-h3 protein in 5q31-linked corneal dystrophies and normal corneas.

Objective: To characterize the relation of the beta ig-h3 protein to the diagnostic corneal deposits in the hereditary corneal dystrophies recently shown to have mutations in the beta ig-h3 gene on chromosome 5q31.

Methods: Corneas with lattice, granular, mixed granular-lattice ("Avellino"), and 2 types of Reis-Bücklers dystrophy were diagnosed by the histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of their abnormal aggregates. Dystrophic and normal corneas were compared for immunolocalization of beta ig-h3 protein.