Transmission electron microscopy study of the collagens of the trabecular meshwork in glaucoma patients

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England) Vol. 94; no. S256
• Main Authors: Ramirez, A.I., García‐Antón, M., Rojas, B., Salazar, J.J., de Hoz, R., Triviño, A., Escribano, J., García‐Feijoo, J., Ramírez, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Biomechanics; Change detection; Collagen; Collagen (type I); Electron microscopy; Electrons; Genes; Glaucoma; Glutaraldehyde; Intraocular pressure; Ophthalmology; Transmission electron microscopy
• ISSN: 1755-375X; 1755-3768
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2016.0575

Purpose To analyze the ultrastructural features and the distribution of the collagens of the different regions of the trabecular meshwork (TM) in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Methods Iridocorneal angle tissue from healthy donors and surgical specimens from trabeculectomies of glaucomatous patients were fixed with glutaraldehyde and processed for examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results In comparison with normal eyes, both the trabecular beams and the juxtacanalicular tissue of glaucomatous eyes had changes in the size, distribution, and organization of fibrillar collagens (type I, III, V), non‐fibrillar collagens (type IV), and filamentous collagens (type VI). Conclusions The ultrastructural changes detected in collagen constituents of the trabecular meshwork impair its biomechanics and increase aqueous humor outflow resistance, thus contributing to the elevation of the intraocular pressure.