Immunochemical localization of keratan sulfate proteoglycans in cornea, sclera, and limbus using a keratanase-generated neoepitope monoclonal antibody.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of neoepitope monoclonal antibody BKS-1, which recognizes keratanase-generated keratan sulfate (KS) stubs on keratan sulfate proteoglycans in human cornea, limbus, and sclera. METHODS: BKS-1 specifically recognizes a keratanase-generated neoepitope [N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-sulfate (GlcNAc-6-S)] at the nonreducing terminal of corneal and skeletal KS glycosaminoglycan chains. It was produced by using keratanase-digested KS peptides from bovine cartilage aggrecan as the immunizing antigen. BKS-1 was used in conjunction with 5D4 to analyze the KS distribution in human cornea, limbus, and sclera using Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: 5D4 Western blot analysis displayed a diffuse staining pattern, and it was difficult to distinguish differences among cornea, sclera, and limbus. However, BKS-1 showed differences in KS levels, with higher levels in the cornea and lower levels in the limbus and sclera. Ultrastructural studies showed that the monoclonal antibody (mAb) BKS-1 neoepitope was not observed in the epithelium or basement membrane; however, 5D4 was present in these layers. Large quantities of both antibodies were present in Bowman's layer, stroma, and Descemet's membrane, but the quantity of 5D4 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the quantity of BKS-1 in all these layers of the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: mAb 5D4 recognizes oversulfated structures within KS chains, whereas BKS-1 recognizes a single neoepitope on KS after keratanase digestion of monosulfated KS disaccharides. With the use of BKS-1, the authors identified a more clearly defined pattern for KS distribution in the cornea than was seen with 5D4. The presence of a large quantity of BKS-1 immunostaining in the cornea suggests that KS-substituted proteoglycans are more prevalent in the cornea than in the limbus or sclera.

Differential expression of the keratan sulphate proteoglycan, keratocan, during chick corneal embryogenesis.

Keratan sulphate (KS) proteoglycans (PGs) are key molecules in the connective tissue matrix of the cornea of the eye, where they are believed to have functional roles in tissue organisation and transparency. Keratocan, is one of the three KS PGs expressed in cornea, and is the only one that is primarily cornea-specific. Work with the developing chick has shown that mRNA for keratocan is present in early corneal embryogenesis, but there is no evidence of protein synthesis and matrix deposition. Here, we investigate the tissue distribution of keratocan in the developing chick cornea as it becomes compacted and transparent in the later stages of development. Indirect immunofluorescence using a new monoclonal antibody (KER-1) which recognises a protein epitope on the keratocan core protein demonstrated that keratocan was present at all stages investigated (E10-E18), with distinct differences in localisation and organisation observed between early and later stages. Until E13, keratocan appeared both cell-associated and in the stromal extracellular matrix, and was particularly concentrated in superficial tissue regions. By E14 when the cornea begins to become transparent, keratocan was located in elongate arrays, presumably associated along collagen fibrils in the stroma. This fibrillar label was still concentrated in the anterior stroma, and persisted through E15-E18. Presumptive Bowman's layer was evident as an unlabelled subepithelial zone at all stages. Thus, in embryonic chick cornea, keratocan, in common with sulphated KS chains in the E12-E14 developmental period, exhibits a preferential distribution in the anterior stroma. It undergoes a striking reorganisation of structure and distribution consistent with a role in relation to stromal compaction and corneal transparency.