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I.B. Hyaluronan and Other Carbohydrates in the Vitreus

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Vitreous

Abstract

Why vitreus? Why any connective tissue? In the eye, vitreus is responsible for the stability and general good health of the adjacent structures retina, lens, ciliary body, and zonules. Unlike other connective tissues, vitreus fulfills its function of transparency with solidity in order to serve as a stabilizer and shock absorber for movement or mechanical impact that could harm these delicate tissues. In addition, its high permeability permits free diffusion of most molecules reaching its border [see chapter IV.A. Vitreous in ocular physiology]. The authors have spent several decades studying vitreus, despite the fact that many years ago someone once noted that there is nothing more to know about the vitreus; everything is known. This chapter explains how the hyaluronan (formerly hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate) content and function in human vitreus contribute to development and aging in this most interesting tissue. Most of the work on this subject has been done before the mid-1980s and was reviewed and summarized by us [1] and updated in 1992 and 1998 by Sebag [2, 3] and in 1994 by Balazs [4]. In the last three decades, there has been additional work on human and animal vitreus, noting the similarities and differences between them. Unfortunately, since 1998 until today fewer than ten nonclinical papers were published with the words “hyaluronan” and “vitreous” in the title. In this paper we will review only a select group of those papers that represent important research findings on this subject.

As elected by the authors of this chapter, vitreus will be used as a noun, designating the connective tissue surrounded by the lens, ciliary body, and retina. Thus, vitreus will replace vitreous humor, vitreous body, and vitreous (if used as a noun). The two rheological states of the vitreus will be designated as gel vitreus and liquid vitreus. Vitreous will be used, as an adjective, in the following manner: vitreous anomalies, vitreous strands, vitreous implants, etc. [1].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Matrix Biology Institute, 720 River Road, Suite 205, Edgewater, NJ, 07020, USA

    Janet L. Denlinger PhD & Endre A. Balazs MD

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  1. Janet L. Denlinger PhD
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  2. Endre A. Balazs MD
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Correspondence to Janet L. Denlinger PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. VMR Institute for Vitreous Macula Retina, Huntington Beach, California, USA

    J. Sebag

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Denlinger, J.L., Balazs, E.A. (2014). I.B. Hyaluronan and Other Carbohydrates in the Vitreus. In: Sebag, J. (eds) Vitreous. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1086-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1086-1_2

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