Immunocytochemical Studies of Extracellular Matrix Components in the Human Eye

Marshall, George Evelyn (1991) Immunocytochemical Studies of Extracellular Matrix Components in the Human Eye. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to document the fine structural distribution of collagen types I-VI and laminin in various human ocular tissues (cornea, trabecular meshwork, iris, ciliary body, lens capsule and retinal vessels) and relate their distribution to the functional requirements of each tissue. Twenty-three human eyes (aged 43-82) were suitably prepared for immunocytochemistry. The distribution of the extracellular matrix components studied was determined using the immunogold technique on ultrathin frozen and LR white sections. Two different preparative techniques were employed to consolidate results. Perhaps the most surprising finding among the many features of great interest, was the presence of type I collagen in all of the vascular basement membranes studied. Other interesting features included the interfibrillar location of type VI collagen in cornea, meshwork and retinal vasculature, the presence of collagens V and VI in corneal keratocyte bodies, and the association of collagen VI and laminin with the corneal basement membrane complex. the identification of collagen IV and laminin in extracellular matrix deposits in the cribriform layer was also of interest as was the association of laminin with linear deposits in the lens capsule and increased labelling of types I and IV collagen associated with pericytes in retinal capillaries. The presence of the components studied could be related to the functional demands of each tissue.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Ophthalmology
• Date of Award: 1991
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1991-77295
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 09:13
• Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 09:13
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77295