Constitutively low expression of collagen XIII alpha 1 may help explain the vulnerability of the inferior rectus muscle to thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morris, Olivia Claire; Schebitz Walter, Kirsten; Telemo, Esbjörn; Hintschich, Christoph
• Is Part Of: Orbit. Volume 35:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: collagen XIII -- COL13A1 -- thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy -- thyroid eye disease; Eye-sockets -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Eye-sockets -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Orbit -- surgery -- Periodicals; Orbital Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1080/01676830.2016.1193531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-6830

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) has a predilection for inferior rectus muscle that has never been explained. We conducted immunohistochemical staining for the soluble cleaved form of collagen XIII alpha 1 (COL13A1) and found constitutively low expression of COL13A1 in normal human inferior rectus muscles and moderate expression of COL13A1 in normal human medial rectus muscles. COL13A1 is known to be essential to development and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions and there is some evidence to suggest it may help support normal immune function. The combination of constitutively low expression of COL13A1, high physiological and metabolic demands, and consequentially relatively high exposure to stressors via the blood stream may help explain the particular vulnerability of inferior rectus to TAO compared to other extraocular muscles.