Ultrastructural immunolocalization of alpha-elastin and keratan sulfate proteoglycan in normal and scoliotic lumbar disc.

Study Design: Comparative ultrastructural study of intervertebral discs from normal subjects and patients with scoliosis.

Objective: To identify ultrastructural relations among keratan sulfate (KS) proteoglycan, alpha-elastin, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers in normal and scoliotic discs.

Summary Of Background: KS proteoglycans, elastic fibers, and collagen fibers play important mechanical roles in the intervertebral disc, but the distributions of KS proteoglycans and elastin in this tissue have received little attention.

Ultrastructural localization and distribution of proteoglycan in normal and scoliotic lumbar disc.

Study Design: Comparative ultrastructural study of normal and scoliotic intervertebral discs.

Objective: To examine the ultrastructural organization and distribution of proteoglycan in relation to collagen and elastic fibers in normal and scoliotic discs.

Summary Of Background: The mechanical properties of intervertebral discs depend on the collagens and proteoglycans in the matrix; proteoglycan content and the organization of collagen fibers are altered in degenerate discs.

Immunolocalisation and expression of proteoglycan 4 (cartilage superficial zone proteoglycan) in tendon.

Cartilage superficial zone protein/proteoglycan (SZP) or proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), has been demonstrated to have the potential for several distinct biological functions including cytoprotection, lubrication and matrix binding. In the present study, we have examined both the immunolocalisation and the mRNA expression pattern of PRG4 in tissue harvested from the compressed and tensional regions of young and mature bovine tendons. Immunohistochemical analyses, utilizing monoclonal antibody 3-A-4 which recognizes a conformational-dependent epitope on native PRG4, demonstrated that PRG4 is present predominantly at the surface of fibrocartilaginous regions of tendon, with the intensity of immunoreactivity in this region increasing with age.

Clinical and morphological features including expression of betaig-h3 and keratan sulphate proteoglycans in Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome type B and in normal cornea.

Aim: To carry out a detailed morphological study of the cornea of a 16 year old female with a Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MLS).

Methods: Following a penetrating keratoplasty in July 1999, ultrastructural changes in the cornea were examined using electron microscopy. Proteoglycans were visualised using cuprolinic blue dye; and betaig-h3 and keratan sulphate were detected by immunoelectron microscopy.