Glycosaminoglycans of trabecular meshwork and adjacent tissues of the rabbit eye.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) extracted from the trabecular meshwork (TM) of rabbit eyes were analyzed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and sequential enzymatic degradation, and compared with GAGs extracted from the adjacent tissues including the cornea, sclera, iris and ciliary body. The TM contained hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin 4- and/or 6-sulfate (CS), dermatan sulfate (DS), keratan sulfate (KS), heparan sulfate (HS) and an unidentified band of Alcian-blue-stained material which was resistant to degradation by the enzymes and chemicals used. The GAGs of the rabbit TM included: 13.9% HA, 31.6% CS, 47.1% DS, 4.6% KS and 1.2% HS, and were distinct from those of the cornea and the sclera.