June 1997
Volume 38, Issue 7
Free
Articles  |   June 1997
The HNK-1 epitope and the elastic fiber system of the human ciliary body. An immunoelectron microscopic study.
Author Affiliations
  • M Uusitalo
    Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
  • U Schlötzer-Schrehardt
    Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
  • G O Naumann
    Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
  • T Kivelä
    Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 1997, Vol.38, 1426-1433. doi:
  • Views
  • PDF
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      M Uusitalo, U Schlötzer-Schrehardt, G O Naumann, T Kivelä; The HNK-1 epitope and the elastic fiber system of the human ciliary body. An immunoelectron microscopic study.. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 1997;38(7):1426-1433.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access.
Abstract

PURPOSE: To localize at the electron microscopic level the cell adhesion-related HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope in the inner connective tissue layer (ICTL) of the human ciliary body. METHODS: Seven specimens representing the pars plicata (age range, 12 to 86 years) and three specimens representing the pars plana (age range, 29 to 71 years) of the ciliary body were sampled at death from eight normal human eyes. Three additional specimens from the pars plicata were taken from three eyes with exfoliation syndrome (age range, 78 to 81 years). All specimens were embedded in LR white resin and studied by postembedding immunogold labeling using two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) HNK-1 and NC-1 in detecting the HNK-1 epitope. RESULTS: In the ICTL of the pars plicata and the pars plana, mAbs HNK-1 and NC-1 constantly bound to the surface of fibroblast-like cells present in the subepithelial connective tissue matrix. The immunoreaction was localized along the cell membrane, both around the cell body and around its long, slender cytoplasmic processes. Long microfibrillar bundles, which consisted of approximately 10-nm thick microfibrils in close association with these subepithelial matrix cells and elastic fibers, were also labeled. The periphery of elastic fibers was likewise immunolabeled for the HNK-1 epitope. The reaction pattern was essentially the same, regardless of age and presence or absence of exfoliation syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: At the ultrastructural level, the HNK-1 epitope in the ICTL is a common denominator to the subepithelial matrix cells, microfibrillar bundles, and elastic fibers. This suggests that the subepithelial matrix cells secrete this epitope, and that molecules hearing it may be involved in joining these connective tissue elements that structurally stabilize the ciliary body.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×