ECM proteins are known to play a significant role in the maintenance and preservation of tissue ultrastructure and biological function. This study investigates the potential application of leveraging these roles of ECM for structural reinforcement of the cornea to tackle the clinically relevant challenges of corneal ectasia. We evaluated the benefits of ECM via biomechanical, thermal, ultrastructural and gene expression characterization, by treating enzyme digested corneas with ECM conditioned media. ECM treatment demonstrated an increase in Young’s modulus on the KC corneas. Moreover, it restored thermal stability, and regulated gene expression of corneal stromal cells. We have therefore conclusively established that tissue-derived ECM …show more content…
In the native cornea, the proteoglycans containing chondroitin sulfate chains plays an important role on regulating collagen size and inter-fibrillar spacing [43]. In this ex vivo model, KC corneas have larger inter-fibrillar spacing and fibril diameter, which could be attributed to the degradation of chondroitin sulfate chains via enzymatic action, thus weakening inter- and intra-fibrillar collagen binding. The loss of inter-fibrillar collagen binding results in lower collagen fibrillar density. Meanwhile, the weakened intra-fibrillar collagen binding causes loosening of the tight packing in individual collagen fibrils, thereby changing the collagen fibril diameter distribution. ECM treatment restored the fibril density and altered the fibril diameter distribution. Treatment with different ECM groups (COR, CART, LN) resulted in different fibril sizes and density distributions. The differences observed after treatment could potentially be attributed to the varying biological components in the tissues from which the ECMs were extracted. While dissimilar in the ultrastructures produced, all ECM treatment groups restored mechanical properties of the cornea equally. Tensile strength is an important parameter for evaluating crosslinking efficiency, to ensure that the corneal stroma can resist deformation due to intraocular pressure. The enzyme activity decreased the tensile strength of KC corneas due to the degradation of proteoglycans,
The next two molecules, α6β4 integrin, and collagen XVII extend beyond the basal keratinocyte membrane and into the lamina lucida layer of the basement membrane zone and hence they are known as transmembrane molecules. These latter two molecules can be found within the outer plaque of the hemidesmosome. The last molecule, CD151, the most recently discovered molecule, is closely associated with α6β4 Integrin, and resides at or near the surface of the basal cell plasma membrane. The intermediate filaments attach to BPAG1 and plectin, which compose the hemidesmosome inner plaque. Both plectin and BPAG1 belong to the plakin family of proteins, and share significant sequence homology.[14]
The eye is made up of three layers. The outermost layer is called the fibrous tunic and is composed of the cornea and sclera. The middle layer is named the vascular tunic or uvea. This layer consists of the choroid, cillary body, pigmented epithelium, and the iris. The innermost layer is the retina, and it receives oxygen from blood vessels of the choroid and retinal vessels. Spaces of the eye are filled with the fluid aqueous humor. This fluid is found between the cornea and lens of
Working in the health field, we are bound to come across many patients experiencing unique disorders and conditions that we may not be experts on. However, due to our detailed training, we learn how to properly assess and break down the observed conditions to really determine the best treatment options for our patient. The condition I got to research is called “scleroderma.” When you look at the disorder itself, we can see the two Greek words: sclero and derma. With “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin, we can come to presume that scleroderma is the hardening of skin.
Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation but more typically having no obvious external cause.Atopic dermatitis (known as eczema) is an inherited, chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually appears in early childhood. Patches of skin become red, scaly and itchy. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it's thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body's immune system to an irritant. It is this response that causes the symptoms of eczema. In addition, eczema is commonly found in families with a history of other allergies or asthma.It is also important to avoid skin irritants, such as soap, hot water and synthetic fabrics.Everyday things in your environment cigarette smoke, pollen, and even your clothes can cause eczema to flare.
Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the eye. A risk factor, defined as something that increase the chance of getting glaucoma, is high eye pressure. However, it is possible to get glaucoma with normal or even low eye pressure. Another way to get glaucoma is by getting it genetically. 3,000,000+ Americans have glaucoma, so about 1 in every 10,000 babies in the United States are born with glaucoma. (glaucoma.org) Mutations can cause glaucoma, and one of the main genes associated with it is the gene ABCA1. In a lot of cases of glaucoma, this gene has either mutated or been given to the subjected person as a mutant gene. Because another risk factor is old age, specifically 60 years and older, the number 60.5 million from worldwide glaucoma
The initial changes in OA are found in the superficial zone of the articular cartilage and consist of an increased water content of the articular cartilage and loss of proteoglycan. Proteolytic degradation of proteoglycan reduces its chain length and inhibits
Frowen, P., O’Donnell, M., Lorimer, D. and Burrow, G. (2010), Neal’s Disorders of the Foot,
Within the vast field of ophthalmology is a specialized field that deals only with the problems of the retina and vitreous. The retinal specialists deal with all the medical, surgical and laser treatment of the vitreous and the retina. They not only diagnose but also treat the retinal and the posterior eye disorders. Depending upon the type of the disorder and its severity, the retinal specialists decide the line of treatment and if necessary advice Retinal Surgery Chicago.
After analyzing the ancient text from Celsus on the diseases of the eyes in comparison to the textbook explanation of modern diseases of the eye, I found many conditions that ancient Ophthamologist’s failed to discover. The ancient text mentions diseases and infections such as hordeolum or sty, chalazion or chronic sty, glaucoma in which the fluid build up in the eye causes a pressure that can result in blindness, and even things such as imperfect incisions that can result in refractive errors during procedures. Although ancient Ophthamologist’s were able to identify and diagnose some conditions of the eye with accurate treatment plans there were many conditions they overlooked or failed to properly diagnose and treat.
Elastin is the one of the key components in the elastic property of tissues found in human tissues such as arteries, lungs, and elastic cartilage to name a few (Jacob, Sauvage, Osbourne 1). Elastin is mainly composed of amino acids glycine and proline, which are hydrophobic and are combined with lysine residues in crosslinks (NCBI 1). It plays a fundamental role in the recoil of tissues after being stretched, which is critical in maintaining the cells health (Weiss 1). Thirty percent of the dry weight of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in arteries is comprised of the protein elastin, hence, making it an essential part of human tissue (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). Elastin can be found abundantly in the dermis of the skin, the arterial walls, the pulmonary tissues, which helps with the expansion of the lungs upon breathing and the recoil upon exhaling (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). Elastin in the skin is elastic tissue intertwined with other components in the dermis through fibers that are interconnected (Krettek, Sukhova, Libby 1). The skin is dense with elastic tissue, which allows for the
Exophthalmos, also called proptosis, is a condition where one or both eyes move forward. The eyes look as if one or both eyes are bulging or popping out. When the eyes are pushed forward, damage can be done to:
Chemically, the glucosamine (Figure 1.1) structure is an amino-monosaccharide and a substrate of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans. These are substrates of hyaluronic acid that is a major component of joint fluid. Since glucosamine is a
Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition that often results in dry, itchy cracked skin.1 There is no known cause for atopic dermatitis however it is hypothesized that there is a genetic and immune system component that may be triggered by certain environmental factors. Atopic dermatitis affects many individuals across a wide range of ages but is most common in babies and adolescents.
Hereditary skin blistering epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is an interesting problem for the purpose of this end of semester presentation because it is an inherited skin blistering disease caused by the fragility of a compartment within the basal cell. This disease is caused by a dominant mutation, either missense or small
Since the beginning of 20th century, collagen has been reviewed extensively in studies and researches. Collagen is the most abundant protein in vertebras and signifies 30% of the proteins in the body. The composition of collagen is manifested in various parts of the body like bone, skin, cartilage and blood vessel. Collagen fibre is the main structure in extracellular matrix contributing great assistance in maintaining the integrity of cells and tissues structures. The major functions of collagen include the provision of strength and elasticity, along with maintaining rigidity. Till date, 28 types of collagen have been identified and they are classified into few sub-group. A number of factors distinguish a collagen from another such as morphological characteristics, molecular compositions, distributions, and functions. Of all types of collagen, type I collagen is the most abundant form and is responsible for substituting 90% of the body’s collagen. In view of the important of collagen type I collagen in human body structures and functions, the aim of this paper is to provide in-depth information about type I collagen post-translational modification process, and diseases that are governed by it.