The collagen matrix in corneal pathology, and the effect of new therapies for loss of transparency and refractive status

角膜病理学中的胶原基质，以及新疗法对透明度和屈光状态丧失的影响

• 批准号: G0600755/1
• 负责人: Keith Meek
• 金额: $ 173.23万
• 依托单位: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2007 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=G0600755%2F1
• 关键词: collagen; matrix; corneal; pathology; effect

The cornea is the transparent window at the front of the eye through which we see the coloured iris and black central pupil. It is made up mostly of a protein called collagen and forms part of the tough outer shell of the eye. Most of the outer shell is opaque and white in colour, but the cornea has evolved to transmit light. Evidently, the transparency of the cornea is absolutely essential for vision, and it is believed that the reason why the cornea, unlike all other collagen-containing tissues in the body, is transparent, is because of the special size and arrangement of the collagen and the special properties of the interspersed cells. One purpose of our proposed investigation is to discover precisely how the arrangement of the collagen and the properties of the cells allow the cornea to be transparent. We will then examine how certain treatments act to restore transparency where it has been lost. In addition to allowing light into the eye, the cornea is also curved in a special way to help focus the incoming light on the retina. Again, it is believed that aspects of the collagen organisation might influence this curvature and be important for corneal astigmatism and the recovery of good vision after corneal surgery (including new refractive surgeries such as LASIK). The research is to be carried out using a range of techniques, including synchrotron x-ray technology and several high powered microscopical methods. It will be carried out by a team of Biophysicists in Cardiff, but will involve a number of scientists and clinicians from around the world.

角膜是眼睛前面的透明窗口，通过它我们可以看到彩色虹膜和黑色中央瞳孔。它主要由一种称为胶原蛋白的蛋白质组成，是眼睛坚硬外壳的一部分。大部分外壳是不透明的白色，但角膜已经进化到可以透光。显然，角膜的透明度对于视力来说是绝对必要的，人们认为，角膜之所以与体内所有其他含胶原蛋白的组织不同，是透明的，是因为胶原蛋白的特殊尺寸和排列以及散布的细胞的特殊性质。我们提出的研究的目的之一是准确地发现胶原蛋白的排列和细胞的特性如何使角膜变得透明。然后我们将研究某些治疗方法如何恢复失去透明度的地方。除了允许光线进入眼睛外，角膜还以特殊的方式弯曲，以帮助将入射光聚焦在视网膜上。同样，人们相信胶原蛋白组织的各个方面可能会影响这种曲率，并且对于角膜散光和角膜手术（包括新的屈光手术，例如 LASIK）后良好视力的恢复很重要。该研究将使用一系列技术进行，包括同步加速器 X 射线技术和几种高倍显微方法。该研究将由卡迪夫的生物物理学家团队进行，但将涉及来自世界各地的许多科学家和临床医生。