[The proof of different types of collagen in the bovine eye (author's transl)]

Ultrastructural identification of type I and II collagen in the cornea of the mouse by means of enzyme labeled antibodies

Following reaction with peroxidase-coupled IgG antibodies, collagen of both type I and type II can be demonstrated light and electron-microscopically in the cornea of the mouse by means of purified, type-specific antibodies against collagen. Both type I and type II collagen seem to be evenly distributed in the cornea, with the amount of type I exceeding that of type II.

The organization of tissues of the eye by different collagen types

Bovine cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body, choroid, zonular fibers, lens capsule, lens nucleus, vitreous body, and retina were investigated for collagen content and type. Cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body, choroid, lens capsule, and vitreous body contain hydroxyproline, whereas in zonular fibers, lens nucleus, and retina no hydroxyproline was detectable. Preparative isolation of collagen was achieved by digestion of the different eye tissues with pepsin. The pepsin-solubilized collagen was separated by differential salt precipitation into different collagen types. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the pepsin-solubilized collagens revealed type I collagen in cornea, sclera, iris, ciliary body, and choroid. As well as type I collagen, type III collagen was isolated from cornea, sclera, and uveal tissues. The identification of types I and III collagen was supported by the CNBr-derived peptides of these collagens. Lens capsule collagen consisted mainly of type IV collagen. Zonular fibers contained no hydroxyproline but when examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a band migrating in the alpha-position of collagen was observed. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of both the pepsin-solubilized component and the CNBr-derived peptides of vitreous body protein showed no relation to any of the four common collagen types.

[Comparison of the cyanogen bromide peptides of vitreous body collagen and type II collagen (author's transl)]

Pepsin-soluble collagen was isolated from bovine vitreous humor. This collagen showed only one alpha-chain in disc electrophoresis, migrating in the alpha1-chain position and between the alpha- and beta-components some colored bands were visible. The disc electrophoretic patterns of the cyanogen bromide peptides of pepsin-soluble vitreous body collagen and pepsin-soluble type II collagen revealed no identity.

[The proof of two distinct types of collagen in the fibrils of the vitreous body and zonula fibers (author's transl)]

Vitreous body fibrils and zonula fibers are analyzed by disc-electrophoresis. In both tissues the presence of collagen is established. The disc-electrophoresis patterns of vitreous body fibrils and zonula fibers show that a different type of collagen is present in each tissue. The absence of the alpha 2-chain indicates that the tissues investigated contain no type I collagen but types consisting of three identical alpha-chains.

[The change of hyaluronic acid of the vitreous humour by oxidation-reduction-systems (author's transl)]

Purified hyaluronic acid of ox vitreous humour was isolated treating the acetone precipitate of a vitreous humour homogenate with 1 M NaCl solution and thereafter with cetylpyridiniumchloride. Both disc-electrophoresis and hydroxyproline content proved the absence of collagen in the purified hyaluronic acid. FeSO4, ascorbate, and cysteine changed the hyaluronic acid molecule and lowered the viscosity of the hyaluronic acid solution, EDTA alone did not affect the viscosity but enhanced the effectiveness of iron ions or ascorbate on the viscosity of the solution. Catalase prevented the reduction of the viscosity by the above mentioned substances. Therefore, it is suggested that H2O2 and free radicals are generated during the reaction. The free radicals produced are responsible for the change of the hyaluronic acid molecule.

[Conformational changes of hyaluronic acid in acid medium (author's transl)]

Both vitreous body homogenate and a fibrous product containing hyaluronic acid and collagen isolated from vitreous humor by acetone precipitation were investigated to elucidate the liquefaction of vitreous body by acids. Graphic evaluation of the titration with hydrochlorid acid and viscosity measurements suggest a changed of the hyaluronic acid molecule in the pH-range between 5.2 and 4.1. Between these pH-values the ionization of carboxyl groups is decreased accompanied by conformational changes of the hyaluronic acid molecule. These results are in agreement with the conclusion of other authors that by lowering the pH of hyaluronic acid solutions a random coil to double helix transition of hyaluronic acid occurs.