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Biomedical subjects

A J Calandra

Publications and source records attributed to A J Calandra.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Keratoconus: I. Biochemical studies.

The present study analyses collagenous and non-collagenous components from age-matched normal and keratoconus corneas. Intact keratoconus corneas showed decreased collagen, total protein, and hydroxylysine levels, with normal reducible collagen cross-linking. Non-collagenous fractions were isolated from corneas with a 4 M guanidine procedure. As demonstrated by PAGE-silver stain, the keratoconus cornea guanidine extracts had a 75 kDa band that was absent in normal cornea guanidine extracts. In addition, there was a markedly increased level of protein, uronic acid and neutral hexose in keratoconus extracts as compared with controls. Our Western blot studies showed increased affinity for the castor-bean agglutinin (RCA120, specific for terminal galactose) in the keratoconus extracts as compared with normals. These data suggest the presence of an abnormal noncollagenous component in keratoconus corneas.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Modulation of lens-induced uveitis by superoxide dismutase.

Recent studies on reactive oxygen metabolites have suggested that these products may be important mediators in the early tissue damage that develops from immunopathologic inflammations. The superoxide anion appears to be the principal product of the respiratory burst. In order to determine the effects of removing superoxide with superoxide dismutase on modulating the inflammation in experimental phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis, the animals with this experimental disorder were treated with superoxide dismutase. The treatment resulted in significant reduction of choroidal inflammation, retinal edema and vasculitis, suggesting phlogogenic role of superoxide in the ocular immune-complex disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Adherence of Candida to corneal surface.

In the pathogenesis of mycotic infections, adherence of the microbes to surface structures prior to invasion appears to be the initial and essential step in a susceptible host. Adherence and inhibition of adherence of Candida albicans to rabbit corneal surface was investigated in vitro by light and scanning electron microscopic examinations. The results indicate that blastospores of Candida albicans rarely bind to intact corneal epithelium, but consistently adhere to stroma denuded of epithelium. Such adherence was inhibited by concanavalin A. With its strong affinity for the yeast cell wall carbohydrate mannan, concanavalin A may block the site of attachment of yeast cells to the corneal surface.

Animals↗