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Glycoconjugates of the human trabecular meshwork: a lectin histochemical study

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Summary

Twelve specimens of resin-embedded human trabecular meshwork were probed with a panel of 21 biotinylated lectins, using an avidin-biotin peroxidase revealing system, in order to determine the normal pattern of saccharide expression in this tissue. High-mannose, intermediate and hybrid N-linked glycans, and complex N-linked bisected and non-bisected bi/tri-antennate glycans, as shown by the binding ofCanavalia ensiformis (ConA),Pisum sativum (PSA),Lens culinaris (LCA) agglutinins andPhaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (ePHA), were strongly expressed by the canal of Schlemm endothelium and juxtacanalicular tissue, but less so by the corneoscleral meshwork. Highly branched complex glycans were not found, as there was no binding byPhaseolus vulgaris leukoagglutinin (1PHA). Sialyl residues, especially thoseα2,6-linked as demonstrated by strongSambucus nigra (SNA) lectin staining, were also abundant in this area.N-acetyllactosamine sequences and some O-linked glycans were present in the trabecular meshwork, as shown bySolanum tuberosum (STA),Datura stramonium (DSA), andJacalin (Jac) lectin binding, while fucose residues were not detected byTetragonolobus purpureas (LTA) orUlex europaeus-1 (UEA-1) agglutinins. These results indicate similarities with renal glomerular and vascular endothelium, although the lack of binding with UEA-1 agglutinin suggests differences which may relate to the specialized function of the trabecular meshwork. This study provides a baseline for comparative analysis of the glycans of human trabecular meshwork in pathological conditions such as primary open-angle glaucoma.

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Abbreviations

α-d-man:

α-d-mannose

α-d-Glc:

α-d-glucose

GalNAc:

N-acetylgalactosamine

fuc:

fucose

GlcNAc:

N-acetylglucosamine

Neu5Ac:

5N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PT, Manchester, UK

    R. E. Bonshek & C. J. P. Jones

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Manchester, Royal Eye Hospital, Oxford Road, M13 9WH, Manchester, UK

    S. A. Chapman, R. E. Bonshek, R. W. Stoddart, K. R. Mackenzie, E. O’Donoghue & D. McLeod

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  1. S. A. Chapman
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  2. R. E. Bonshek
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  3. R. W. Stoddart
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  4. C. J. P. Jones
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  5. K. R. Mackenzie
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  6. E. O’Donoghue
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  7. D. McLeod
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Chapman, S.A., Bonshek, R.E., Stoddart, R.W. et al. Glycoconjugates of the human trabecular meshwork: a lectin histochemical study. Histochem J 27, 869–881 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02389593

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