Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:311-317
( March )
Age related changes in the non-collagenous components of the
extracellular matrix of the human lamina cribrosa
Julie Albona, Wojciech S S Karwatowskib, David L Eastyc, Trevor J Simsd, Victor C Duancee
a Department of
Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, b Department of Ophthalmology, Leicester Royal
Infirmary, Leicester, c Department of Ophthalmology, Bristol Eye
Hospital, Bristol, d Collagen
Research Group, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, e School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
Correspondence to: Dr Julie Albon,
Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Cardiff University, Redwood
Building, King Edward VII Avenue, PO Box 905, Cardiff CF1 3XS
Accepted for publication 1 October 1999
AIMS To investigate
age related alterations in the non-collagenous components of the human
lamina cribrosa.
METHODSFibronectin,
elastin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining were
assessed in young and old laminae cribrosae. An age range (7 days to 96 years) of human laminae cribrosae were analysed for lipid content
(n=9), cellularity (n=28), total sulphated glycosaminoglycans (n=28),
elastin content (n=9), and water content (n=56), using
chloroform-methanol extraction, fluorimetry, the dimethylmethylene blue
assay, and ion exchange chromatography, respectively.
RESULTSQualitatively,
an increase in elastin and a decrease in fibronectin and GFAP were
demonstrated when young tissue was compared with the elderly.
Biochemical analysis of the ageing human lamina cribrosa
demonstrated that elastin content increased from 8% to 28% dry
tissue weight, total sulphated glycosaminoglycans decreased, and lipid content decreased from 45% to 25%. There were no
significant changes in total cellularity or water content.
CONCLUSIONThese
alterations in composition may be indicative of the metabolic state of
the lamina cribrosa as it ages, and may contribute to changes in
mechanical integrity. Such changes may be implicated in the
susceptibility of the elderly lamina cribrosa and also its response to
glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
© 2000 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
A. Hommer, G. Fuchsjager-Mayrl, H. Resch, C. Vass, G. Garhofer, and L. Schmetterer
Estimation of Ocular Rigidity Based on Measurement of Pulse Amplitude Using Pneumotonometry and Fundus Pulse Using Laser Interferometry in Glaucoma
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.,
September 1, 2008;
49(9):
4046 - 4050.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. P. Wells, D. F. Garway-Heath, A. Poostchi, T. Wong, K. C. Y. Chan, and N. Sachdev
Corneal Hysteresis but Not Corneal Thickness Correlates with Optic Nerve Surface Compliance in Glaucoma Patients
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.,
August 1, 2008;
49(8):
3262 - 3268.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Albon, S. Farrant, S. Akhtar, R. Young, M. E. Boulton, G. Smith, M. Taylor, J. Guggenheim, and J. E. Morgan
Connective Tissue Structure of the Tree Shrew Optic Nerve and Associated Ageing Changes
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.,
May 1, 2007;
48(5):
2134 - 2144.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L Guo, V Tsatourian, V Luong, A G Podolean, D A Jackson, F W Fitzke, and M F Cordeiro
En face optical coherence tomography: a new method to analyse structural changes of the optic nerve head in rat glaucoma
Br. J. Ophthalmol.,
September 1, 2005;
89(9):
1210 - 1216.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Spoerl, A. G. Boehm, and L. E. Pillunat
The Influence of Various Substances on the Biomechanical Behavior of Lamina Cribrosa and Peripapillary Sclera
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.,
April 1, 2005;
46(4):
1286 - 1290.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A J Bellezza, C J Rintalan, H W Thompson, J C Downs, R T Hart, and C F Burgoyne
Anterior scleral canal geometry in pressurised (IOP 10) and non-pressurised (IOP 0) normal monkey eyes
Br. J. Ophthalmol.,
October 1, 2003;
87(10):
1284 - 1290.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
