A Study on Cell Surface Glycoconjugate and Extracellular Matrix in Development of Cornea

The cell surface glycoconjugate and extracellular matrix may mediate extracellular signals which decide the fate of the cells during tissue interactions. The proper development of cornea needs cellular interaction between surface epithelium, neural crest and developing lens. 50 pregnant rats were chosen and the embryos from pernatal day11-to 20 and postnatal rat from day 1 to 15 were collected. Histochemical staining and lectin histochemistry (PNA, BSA1-B4,S/PNA) were carried out. The presence of D-Gal and Gal/GalNac were confirmed in developing cornea. Sialidase digestion/PNA method did not increase the reaction of cornea to PNA. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference only for neutral saccharide substance. (Mann-Whithey P<0.05). It seems that the pattern of distribution of extracellular matrix and cell surface glycoconjugate in cornea follows a spatiotemporal pattern.