Hernandez M R, Andrzejewska W M, Neufeld A H
Ophthalmic Pharmacology Unit, Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114.
Am J Ophthalmol. 1990 Feb 15;109(2):180-8. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)75984-7.
Using immunofluorescent staining, we were able to characterize the changes in composition and distribution of the macromolecules making up the extracellular matrix of the lamina cribrosa of the glaucomatous human optic nerve head. In tissue adjacent to the glaucomatous cups, there was marked disorganization and loss of fibers of elastin within the cores of the cribriform plates. Collagen type VI, normally sparse, increased in quantity considerably throughout the lamina cribrosa in glaucomatous eyes with all degrees of damage. Collagen type IV and other basement membrane macromolecules appeared to extend into nerve bundles, presumably filling in spaces previously occupied by nerves. There was no appreciable change in the postlaminar region, which indicates the specificity of the extracellular matrix changes in the lamina cribrosa. Our results indicate that changes in the extracellular matrix play an important role in the progression of the glaucomatous process and may be a causative agent of the disease.
通过免疫荧光染色，我们得以描绘出构成青光眼患者视神经乳头筛板细胞外基质的大分子成分及分布的变化。在与青光眼杯相邻的组织中，筛状板核心内的弹性纤维明显紊乱且减少。在所有损伤程度的青光眼眼中，通常稀少的VI型胶原在整个筛板中的数量显著增加。IV型胶原和其他基底膜大分子似乎延伸至神经束中，推测是填充了先前由神经占据的空间。板后区域没有明显变化，这表明筛板中细胞外基质变化具有特异性。我们的结果表明，细胞外基质的变化在青光眼进程中起重要作用，可能是该疾病的致病因素。
