Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Schwalbe’s line (SL), which provides a border between trabecular meshwork (TM) and corneal endothelium, is thought to be a kind of mesenchymal remnant. In this study, we sought to investigate the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) and related proteins within the SL of normal human eyes in order to further understand its biological role. Methods: Six fresh normal human corneo–scleral tissues (3 males and 3 females; 64.8 ± 11.3 years) , were obtained from a US eye–bank, cryo–embedded and subjected to indirect immunohistochemical analysis. The localization of collagens I, II, III, IVα2, VI, VII, fibronectin, heparan sulfate, laminin V, pan–cytokeratin, vimentin, elastin, and integrin ß1, ß4, α6 were examined. Results: The SL demonstrated strong immunostaining for collagens I, III, IVα2, VI, vimentin, moderate staining for fibronectin, laminin V, elastin, and faint staining for collagens II, VII, heparin sulfate, pan–cytokeratin and integrinß1, ß4, α6. The expression patterns of these ECM proteins and vimentin in the SL were quite similar to those of found within the TM. Conclusions: Abundant expression of collagens I, III, IVα2,VI and vimentin in the SL and TM suggests that these ECM proteins possibly play pivotal roles in maintaining the highly integrated structure of both these tissues. Furthermore, the consistent expression pattern of the ECM proteins and vimentin imply a biological similarity between SL and TM.
Keywords: extraocular muscles: development • trabecular meshwork