Ultrastructural changes of the extracellular matrix of the trabecular meshwork with age.

• Autores: Josep Maria Potau Ginés, Domingo Ruano Gil, M. Canals, Jesús Costa Vila, María Dolores Merindano Encina
• Localización: European Journal of anatomy, ISSN-e 1136-4890, Vol. 5, Nº. 2, 2001, págs. 83-88
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The morphology of the extracellular matrix was studied in a series of human trabecular meshworks obtained from specimens of different ages without any known ocular pathology. Our aim was to identify ultrastructural changes related to an increase in intraocular pressure with aging. 24 trabecular meshworks obtained from individuals with ages ranging from 23 to 99 were specifically prepared for subsequent transmission electron microscopic observation using standard techniques. Our results show that the extracellular matrix of the trabecular beams undergoes progressive changes with increasing age in all its components (collagen fibres, elastin-like plaques and basal membrane). These changes may be related to an increase in intraocular pressure since they can alter the aqueous outflow from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal and can interfere with the drainage, facilitating mechanism of the ciliary muscle.