Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.6.4 (chondroitinase)
 2,039 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Lens capsules become fibrotic after cataract extraction. A variety of extracellular matrix (ECM) components accumulate on these capsules in association with the proliferation of lens epithelial cells. To provide a better understanding of the process of capsular fibrosis, we assessed the types of proteoglycans (PG) in human lens capsules with intraocular lenses (IOL). Lens capsules containing IOLs were removed from 1 patient with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and 1 patient with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. After treatment with chondroitinase ABC, tissue sections were processed for immunohistochemical detection of the proteoglycans including chondroitin, large PG, chondroitin 4-sulfate PG, chondroitin 6-sulfate PG, dermatan sulfate PG, and keratan sulfate PG. Extracellular matrix was found on the inner surface of the capsular bag. In association with what appeared to be proliferating lens epithelial cells, each of the six types of PG was present in the ECM on the capsules. All six types of PG might be involved in the fibrosis and opacification of lens capsules after extraction of the cataract and implantation of the IOL.
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PMID:Immunohistochemical identification of proteoglycan types in fibrotic human capsules with intraocular lens implants. 982 64

Various pharmacologic vitreolysis agents, including hyaluronidase, urea, plasmin, dispase, tissue plasminogen activator and chondroitinase have been tested. Pharmacologic vitreolysis can avoid the complications of surgery such as cataract, endophthalmitis, retinal hemorrhage, tear or detachment, and anesthesia related complications. Hyaluronan is a major macromolecule of vitreous. It is a long, unbranched polymer of repeating disaccharide (glucuronic acid beta (1,3)-N-acetylglucosamine) moieties linked by beta 1-4 bonds. Hyaluronan is covalently linked to a protein core, to form a proteoglycan. It plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the vitreous gel. Hyaluronidase cleaves glycosidic bonds of hyaluronic acid and, to a variable degree, other acid mucopolysaccharides of the connective tissue. Dissolution of the hyaluronic acid and collagen complex results in decreased viscosity of the extracellular matrix. This in turn increases the diffusion rate of erythrocytes and exudates along with phagocytes through the vitreous and facilitates red blood cell lysis and phagocytosis.
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PMID:Hyaluronidase for pharmacologic vitreolysis. 1949 48