Keratocyte phenotype mediates proteoglycan structure: a role for fibroblasts in corneal fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: In pathological corneas, accumulation of fibrotic extracellular matrix is characterized by proteoglycans with altered glycosaminoglycans that contribute to the reduced transparency of scarred tissue. During wound healing, keratocytes in the corneal stroma transdifferentiate into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. In this study, molecular markers were developed to identify keratocyte, fibroblast, and myofibroblast phenotypes in primary cultures of corneal stromal cells and the structure of glycosaminoglycans secreted by these cells was characterized. Quiescent primary keratocytes expressed abundant protein and mRNA for keratocan and aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3 and secreted proteoglycans containing macromolecular keratan sulfate. Expression of these marker compounds was reduced in fibroblast

SUBMITTER: Funderburgh JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2877919 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature