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Specialized cell types and their regional distribution in the conjunctival epithelium of the cynomolgus monkey

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Abstract

In the superficial layer of the conjunctival epithelium of cynomolgus monkeys, five different cell types were found. The cell types were distinguished by ultrastructural criteria (e.g., cell organelles and cytoplasma) and are defined as follows: type I are the goblet cells; type II is characterized by the content of small electron-dense granules, type III is particularly rich in Golgi material, type IV contains a specifically large amount of ER; type V shows an exceptionally large number of mitochondria.

The quantitative evaluation of these cell types in 15 areas of the conjunctiva of 3 animals revealed a characteristic pattern of regional distribution, which may reflect the otherwise unknown functional significance of most of these cell types.

Zusammenfassung

In der oberflächlichen Schicht des Conjunctiva-Epithels von Cynomolgus-Affen wurden 5 verschiedene Zell- typen gefunden, deren Definition hauptsächlich auf feinstrukturellen Kriterien (Zellorganellen, Zytoplasmastruktur etc.) basiert. Als Typ I-Zellen werden die Becherzellen bezeichnet. Typ II-Zellen stellen Zellen dar, in deren apikalem Zytoplasma zahlreiche, kleine, elektronendichte Granula vorkommen. Die Typ III-Zellen sind besonders reich an Golgi-Vesikeln, während sich die Typ IV-Zellen durch auffallend viel ER und die Typ V-Zellen durch eine besonders große Zahl an Mitochondrien auszeichnen.

Die quantitative Auswertung dieser fünf Zelltypen in 15 Regionen von Ober- und Unterlid bei 3 Tieren ergab eine charakteristische regionale Verteilung, die vermutlich mit den spezifischen Leistungen dieser Zellformen, über die aber sonst noch wenig bekannt ist, in Zusammenhang steht.

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Rohen, J.W., Steuhl, P. Specialized cell types and their regional distribution in the conjunctival epithelium of the cynomolgus monkey. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 218, 59–63 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02153712

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