The role of the posterior ciliary body in the biosynthesis of vitreous humour

Recently, several groups have published new information regarding the origins and structure of the vitreous humour, and the inner limiting lamina (ILL) of the retina. This short article provides an overview of this new information. It is proposed that vitreous proteins are derived from several different cell types with the posterior half of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium being prominent in the expression of several connective tissue macromolecules. In addition, some basement membrane macromolecules are also expressed by the ciliary body and may subsequently be assembled on the surface of the Müller cells to form the ILL. New data suggest that the posterior half of the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium has substantial secretory activity and is likely to play a pivotal role in eye development.