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Immunogold fine structural localization of extracellular matrix components in aged human cornea

I. Types I-IV collagen and laminin

  • Laboratory Investigations
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Abstract

Using the immunogold technique combined with cryoultramicrotomy and London Resin white (LR white) embedding, we studied the fine structural distribution of types I–IV collagen and laminin in corneal tissue from seven enucleated human eyes (age range, 63–78 years). Type II collagen was not identified in any corneal layer. Type I and type III collagen were distributed in a similar fashion in striated collagen fibrils in Bowman's layer and in the stroma. Type IV collagen was located only in the posterior non-banded region of Descemet's membrane. Laminin was identified in subepithelial anchoring plaques and the sub-endothelial region of Descemet's membrane in accordance with its recognized adhesive function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Glasgow, G11 6NT, Glasgow, UK

    Anastasios G. Konstas

  2. Department Pathology, University of Glasgow, G11 6NT, Glasgow, UK

    George E. Marshall & William R. Lee

Authors
  1. George E. Marshall
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  2. Anastasios G. Konstas
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  3. William R. Lee
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Additional information

Supported by the W.H. Ross Foundation for the Prevention of Blindness

Offprint requests to: G.E. Marshall

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Marshall, G.E., Konstas, A.G. & Lee, W.R. Immunogold fine structural localization of extracellular matrix components in aged human cornea. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 229, 157–163 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170550

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00170550

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