Meek Keith M, Boote Craig
Structural Biophysics Group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Prog Retin Eye Res. 2009 Sep;28(5):369-92. doi: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2009.06.005. Epub 2009 Jul 3.
The bulk of the corneal stroma is comprised of a layered network of fibrillar collagen. Determining the architecture of this unique structure may help us to better understand the cornea's biomechanical and optical function. The analysis of diffraction patterns obtained when X-rays are passed through the regularly arranged collagen molecules and fibrils of the stromal matrix yields quantitative data on fibrillar organisation, including the orientation and distribution of collagen lamellae within the corneal plane. In recent years, by exploiting the radiation from powerful synchrotron sources, techniques have been developed to enable the mapping of collagen fibril, and therefore lamellar, directions across whole corneas. This article aims to summarise the use of X-ray diffraction to map the orientation and distribution of collagen in the corneal stroma. The implications of the knowledge gained so far are discussed in relation to the optical and biomechanical properties of the cornea, and their alteration due to disease and surgical intervention.
角膜基质的主体由纤维状胶原蛋白的分层网络组成。确定这种独特结构的架构可能有助于我们更好地理解角膜的生物力学和光学功能。当X射线穿过基质中规则排列的胶原分子和纤维时所获得的衍射图案分析，可得出关于纤维组织的定量数据，包括胶原板层在角膜平面内的方向和分布。近年来，通过利用强大同步加速器源发出的辐射，已开发出能够绘制整个角膜中胶原纤维以及层状方向的技术。本文旨在总结利用X射线衍射绘制角膜基质中胶原的方向和分布的方法。结合角膜的光学和生物力学特性以及因疾病和手术干预导致的变化，讨论了目前所获知识的意义。
