Distribution of cathepsin D in human ocular tissue: An immunohistochemical study

It is well established that cathepsin D as a major lysosomal acid protease plays an important role in the catabolism of protein in various ocular tissues. In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), cathepsin D is involved in the degradation of shed discs during the renewal process. To date, the immuno...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of anatomy 1995-11, Vol.177 (6), p.515-523
Main Authors: El-Hifnawi, E., BenEzra, D., Reichenbach, A., Hettlich, H.-J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cathepsin D
Human
Immunocytochemistry
Lytic enzyme
Ocular tissue
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Summary:It is well established that cathepsin D as a major lysosomal acid protease plays an important role in the catabolism of protein in various ocular tissues. In the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), cathepsin D is involved in the degradation of shed discs during the renewal process. To date, the immunohistochemical localization and distribution of cathepsin D in human ocular tissue has not been precisely analyzed. In this study, the cellular localization of cathepsin D immunoreactivity was examined at the light microscopic level in healthy donor eyes using the alkaline phosphatase-antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. Cathepsin D immunoreactivity was found in the cellular cytoplasm of the following human ocular tissues: retinal pigment epithelium; Müller cells; ganglion cells; pigmented and unpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body; iris tissue; epithelium and endothelium of the cornea and lens epithelium. In addition, cathepsin D reaction product was detected in the glial cells of the optic nerve and in the cytoplasm of the capillary endothelium. The localization and distribution of cathepsin D and its possible role among the various ocular tissues are discussed in connection with the underlying physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
ISSN:0940-9602
1618-0402
DOI:10.1016/S0940-9602(11)80083-X