Purpose:
The Schlemm canal functions as a lymphatic vessel, because aqueous fluid passes from outside to inside of the canal. It has been proved that the canal originates from the deep scleral plexus in the embryonic stage, however it is not yet known whether the endothelium of the canal has the nature of a blood vessel or a lymphatic vessel. In this study, we investigated differences among the endothelia of the Schlemm canal, lymphatic vessel and blood vessel in the lung regarding the platelet coagulation system.
Methods:
Autopsy eyes, trabeculectomy specimens and normal lung tissue obtained from surgery were used in this study. The tissue was processed for paraffin sections, which were stained immunohistochemically using antibodies against von-Willebrand factor (vWF), PE-CAM and thrombomodulin, which modulate the platelet coagulation system. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed for these specimens using antibodies as markers of lymphatic vessels (D2-40) and blood vessels (CD34, E-selectin).
Results:
SCECs: Endothelium of the Schlemm canalLVECs: Endothelium of blood vessels in the lungLLECs: Endothelium of lymphatic vessels in the lung
Conclusions:
The endothelium of the canal suppresses the platelet coagulation system more than those of lymphatic vessels in the lung. This suggested that the aqueous humor can pass smoothly from the inner wall free from the platelet coagulation system.
Keywords: trabecular meshwork • pathology: human • immunohistochemistry