Abstract
Using light microscopic immunohistochemistry, we studied the immunolocalization and immunoreactivity of the extracellular matrix, including collagen types III, IV, VI, laminin, and alpha elastin in the lamina cribrosa of monkey eyes with normal and experimentally chronic glaucoma. Our results showed: (1) abnormal linearlike immunodeposits of both collagen type IV and laminin in the margin of the lamina cribrosa with significant density in the glaucomatous eyes; (2) the immunoreactivity of collagen type III resembled that of the normal eye, but was slightly stronger at the laminar surface; (3) findings with collagen type VI resembled those of type III with an enhanced linearlike staining surrounding the nerve-fiber bundles. Furthermore, staining of alpha elastin demonstrated dramatic changes in both reactivity and localization.
The lamina cribrosa of glaucomatous eyes showed a markedly reduced immunoreactivity as well as an irregular, interrupted pattern. These observations suggest that the changes might be a secondary to the long-standing elevation of intraocular pressure. The alteration of these macromolecules may modify the course of glaucomatous optic damage.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson DR, Francisco S (1969) Ultrastructure of human and monkey lamina cribrosa and optic nerve head. Arch Ophthalmol 82:800–814
Floyd BB, Cleveland PH, Worthen DM (1988) Extracellular matrix of the optic nerve head in normal and glaucomatous eyes. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 29 [ARVO Suppl]: 353
Fukuchi T (1990) Extracellular matrix of the normal monkey optic nerve lamina cribrosa. Acta Soc Ophthalmol Jpn 94:1024–1030
Goldbaum MH, Jeng S, Longemann R, Weinreb RN (1989) The extracellular matrix of the human optic nerve head. Arch Ophthalmol 107:1225–1231
Goldberg BD, Rabinovitch M (1988) Connective tissue. In: Weiss L (ed) Cell and tissue biology, 6th edn. Urban and Schwarzenberg, Baltimore, pp 155–173
Hay ED (1981) Extracellular matrix. J Cell Biol 91:205–223
Hernandez MR, Igoe F, Neufeld AH (1986) Extracellular matrix of the human optic nerve head. Am J Ophthalmol 102:139–148
Hernandez MR, Luo XX, Igoe F, Neufeld AH (1987) Extracellular matrix of the human lamina cribrosa. Am J Ophthalmol 104:567–576
Hernandez MR, Andrzejewska WM, Neufeld AH (1990) Changes in the extracellular matrix of the human optic nerve head in primary open angle glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 109:180–188
Hogan MJ, Alvarade JA, Weddell JE (1971) Optic nerve. In: Histology of the human eye. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 523–606
Iwata K (1985) Pathophysiology in the early stage of primary open-angle glaucoma. Jpn J Clin Ophthalmol 39:407–424
Kajikawa K (1984) Connective tissue. Kinbara, Tokyo, pp 1–8, 31–223, 279–382
Morrison JC, Jerden JA, L'Hernault NL, Quigley HA (1988) The extracellular matrix composition of the monkey optic nerve head. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 29:1141–1150
Morrison JC, Jerden JA, Dorman ME, Quigley HA (1989) Ultrastructural localization of extracellular matrix components in the optic nerve head. Arch Ophthalmol 107:123–129
Morrison JC, Dorman Pease ME, Dunkelberger MS, et al. (1990) Optic nerve head extracellular matrix in primary optic atrophy and experimental glaucoma. Arch Ophthalmol 108:1020–1024
Quigley HA, Addicks W, Green R, et al. (1981) Optic nerve damage in human glaucoma. II. The site of injury and susceptibility of damage. Arch Ophthalmol 99:635–649
Quigley HA, Hohman RM, Addicks W, et al. (1983) Changes in the lamina cribrosa correlated with neural loss in open-angle glaucoma. Am J Ophthalmol 95:673–691
Quigley HA, Dorman-Pease ME, Dunkelberger G, et al. (1990) Changes in collagen and elastin in the optic nerve head in chronic human and experimental monkey glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 31 [ARVO suppl]:564
Rehenberg M, Ammitzboll T, Tengroth B (1987) Collagen distribution in the lamin cribrosa and the trabecular meshwork of the human eye. Br J Ophthalmol 71:886–892
Tengroth B, Ammitzboll T (1984) Change in the content and composition of collagen in the glaucomatous eye. A preliminary report. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh) 62:999–1008
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: T. Fukuchi
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fukuchi, T., Sawaguchi, S., Hara, H. et al. Extracellular matrix changes of the optic nerve lamina cribrosa in monkey eyes with experimentally chronic glaucoma. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 230, 421–427 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175926
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00175926