Beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase: possible role in ocular neovascularization.

The possibility that lysosomal enzymes might be involved as angiogenic factors in ocular neovascularization (NV) was investigated. Beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity, and that of two other glycosidases, were present in the retinal derived protein fraction (RDPF) reported by others to be angiogenic. NAGase, but not the other glycosidases, was inhibited by vitreous. NAGase exhibited the same stability characteristics as RDPF. In diabetic rats there was a significant rise in vitreous but a fall in retinal NAGase activity. The sera of these animals, however, showed elevation in the activities of all five glycosidases. Preliminary experiments indicate that only the intermediate isoenzyme of NAGase, putatively insulin dependent, is elevated in the eyes of these diabetic rats. NAGase was also specifically elevated in the intraocular fluid from monkey eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and markedly so if NV was present. These results suggest the involvement of NAGase in the neovascular process in the eye.